What is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?

• An SDS (formerly known as MSDS) includes information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical.

• It provides guidance for each specific chemical on things such as:

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  • First aid procedures

  • Spill clean-up procedures

Who needs to have SDSs?

• OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (1910.1200) and Lab Safety Standard (1910.1450) both require that SDSs be readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they are in their work area(s).

• Laboratories, facilities or shops that use chemicals must obtain an SDS that is specific to each chemical used in the workplace.

How do you store/maintain SDSs?

Inland Desert maintains SDS and updates them as needed electronically. SDS are normally available through the online database. In the event of a power outage or loss of network capability, SDS are available by calling the Inland Desert Main Office phone number, 509-588-6615. The SDS can be read to you or faxed to a location of your choosing.

• SDSs can be stored electronically or as paper copies.

• SDSs must be stored in a location that all staff can access during work hours (not behind a locked door or on a password-protected device to which they do not have the password).

• SDSs must be stored in the work area (not far away or in another building).

• If electronic copies are used, SDSs must still be available if the area loses electricity or internet access.

  • Back-up options include:

    • A picture of QR code ready for scanning in chemical shed and bulletin board

    • PDFs are downloaded onto a USB stick.

    • A computer with PDFs on the local hard drive that is hooked up to a battery back-up or plugged into an outlet on a back-up generator (red outlets).

Note: You may not use Google (or any search engine) as your lab’s means of SDS access. Furthermore, you may not expect your staff to access SDS through their personal smart phones.

Training

• All employees must be trained on how to read, understand, and access Safety Data Sheets. If the lab employs both a primary means of SDS access and a back-up secondary means of access, both methods should be covered during training. Training must be documented for each employee through the completion of one of the courses listed below.