SDS (Safety Data Sheet)
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a standardized 16-section document that provides detailed information about a chemical product's hazards, safe handling procedures, emergency measures and regulatory data.
What Is a Safety Data Sheet?
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) - formerly known as an MSDS - is a globally standardized document that accompanies hazardous chemical products. Under GHS and WHMIS 2015, every SDS must follow a strict 16-section format so workers and emergency responders can find critical information quickly.
The 16 Sections of an SDS
- Identification
- Hazard(s) identification
- Composition / information on ingredients
- First-aid measures
- Fire-fighting measures
- Accidental release measures
- Handling and storage
- Exposure controls / personal protection
- Physical and chemical properties
- Stability and reactivity
- Toxicological information
- Ecological information
- Disposal considerations
- Transport information
- Regulatory information
- Other information (including date of preparation/last revision)
Employer Obligations
Employers must ensure an SDS is available for every controlled product on-site, that the SDS is no more than three years old and that workers know how to locate and interpret SDS information. Digital SDS management replaces binder-based systems, cutting search time from minutes to seconds.
SDS Management with Make Safety Easy
Make Safety Easy stores your SDS library in the cloud, auto-flags documents nearing expiry and gives workers instant mobile search. Compliance auditors can verify your library in one click.