The need for maintaining SDS and its challenges
All manufacturers, importers, suppliers, or employer are required to check the accuracy of a Safety Data Sheet based on the actual circumstances and update it as needed. A Safety Data Sheet is required to be reviewed at least every 3 years. The record’s of SDS updates such as content, date, version and revision date shall be kept for 3 years. Main purposes of an SDS is to provide: Identification for the product and supplier. Information on hazards, steps you can take to work safely to reduce or prevent exposure to hazardous chemicals. It reflects immediate and appropriate responses in various situations, such as, first-aid, fire, accidental release) Due to workplace hazards, chemical hazards, and chemicals in the workplace, SDS updating is extremely important. SDS should be constantly updated for the safe workplace and for the safe environment. Safety Data Sheets are used for employees who may be exposed to potential hazardous products at work, employers who needs to be aware of the proper storage methods for potential hazardous products, and emergency responders such as firefighters, hazardous material crews, emergency medical technicians, etc. One way that consumers and workers are informed of the risks is by use of Safety Data Sheets. It is a document that provides workers with procedures for safe handling, safe transport and safety measures while working with a hazardous substance. SDS (Safety Data Sheet) authoring services provide SDS revisions, SDS updates, SDS data changes, and other type of SDS updates according to the SDS requirements and current SDS standards. Role of SDS in minimizing the risks to meet regulatory compliance: When working with hazardous materials, it is important to know the specific nature of the dangers that are posed by handling or being exposed to those materials. This also means it is important to identify and differentiate one hazardous material from another in order to effectively apply precautionary measures. Section 2 on SDS identifies the risks and hazards associated with the material and communicates the ways in which the material may be dangerous, as well as some guidelines for safely using the material. SDS allows the user to identify which chemicals are the principal contributors to the GHS Hazard Classifications. Thus users can be informed to implement specific procedures or protective equipment to use to mitigate those risks. As such, having an SDS at workplace with chemicals minimize the risk on hazards. And preparing or evaluating SDS becomes an important skill. Talk to our SDS specialist to overcome challenges with SDS management.
Difference between SDS and eSDS
SDS is known as Safety Data Sheet: The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals is internationally accepted and contains a standard specification for safety data sheets and SDS follows a 16 section format. SDS contains information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health and environmental hazards, safety precautions and protective measures for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical. It guides the user for each specific chemical on things such as: First aid procedures Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Spill clean-up procedures Laboratories, facilities, research institutes or shops that use chemicals must obtain an SDS that is specific to each chemical used in the workplace. SDSs can be stored electronically or as paper copies. SDSs are prepared for each chemical having both hazardous and non-hazardous nature. SDSs are prepared for both substance and mixtures. eSDS is known as Extended Safety Data Sheet: The updated SDS after 16 section is called extended Safety Data Sheet or eSDS. eSDS includes information on different Exposure scenarios. An ‘Exposure Scenario’ is the set of conditions, including operational conditions and risk management measures, which describe how the substance is manufactured or used during its life-cycle and how the manufacturer or importer controls, or recommends downstream users to control, exposures of humans and the environment. A relevant exposure scenario should be included as annex to the safety data sheet of a substance when a company in the supply chain has carried out a chemical safety assessment under REACH. eSDS is prepared only for Hazardous substances. eSDS is only required for substances that are sold in quantities of more than 10 tonnes per year and are classified as hazardous. Do you want to learn more about being compliant SDS regulations? Talk to our Global Compliance Specialists today!