Safety briefing - safety data sheets

This briefing addresses what a safety data sheet (SDS) is and why it is used when assessing hazardous chemicals.

What’s covered?

The aim of this Safety Briefing - Safety Data Sheets is to ensure that all staff are fully aware of what an SDS is and how it is used.

Content

The briefing identifies what’s covered on an SDS and how you may wish to use the information covered in it, e.g. when completing a control of substances hazardous to health assessment.

Key points

Attendees must take note of the following key points:

“The SDS may outline only the minimum precautions for safe handling of the chemical, such as fire and explosion hazards spill or leak procedures. If you have local policies, or local regulations, these should be used.

It is also important to check the date when the SDS was prepared. Test results are continually being updated and additional data may be available.

Remember, not all chemicals are dangerous so they won’t all need an SDS.

If you have lost an SDS or the material is so old it doesn’t have one, most manufacturers are happy to send you a relevant one on request.”