The document discusses Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and their replacement by Safety Data Sheets (SDS) according to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. By June 1, 2015, MSDS will be replaced by SDS which have a standardized 16-section format providing critical safety information on handling chemicals like hazards, protective measures, and emergency procedures. Manufacturers must update their sheets and labels to match the new global standard format and include pictograms and signal words for recognized hazards.

1. Material Safety Data Sheets
Intended to provide workers and
emergency personnel with procedures for
handling or working with products in a safe
manner.
The sheets are in the MSDS binder located
in the lab.

2. Safety Data Sheets
In the past, there was no standard format for MSDS
Different manufacturers would create their sheets in
their own format. A person in need of information
on the hazards of a product might have to look in
different places on different MSDS to find the
information they need.

3. Safety Data Sheets
In 2012, The Hazard Communication
Standard (HCS)
was created to bring the United States
into alignment with the Globally
Harmonized Communication System of
Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.

4. Safety Data Sheets
• The Material Safety Data Sheets will be replaced
by Safety Data Sheets before June 1, 2015.
• The Safety Data Sheets sheets will have a
standardized and internationally recognized 16
section format.
• Each chemical manufacturer must transition to the
new format and supply their customers with the
SDS for each product.

5. Example of SDS

6. SDS
• Section 1: Identification – Chemical identification,
recommended uses, restrictions, manufacturer or
distributor name, address, phone number and
emergency phone number.
• Section 2: Hazard identification –
Includes all hazards regarding the
chemical, such as affects of
exposure on skin, inhalation &
eye contact.

7. SDS
• Section 3: Composition/information on ingredients–
Name and CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) Registry
number of the chemicals contained in the product.
• Section 4: First-aid measures – Includes symptoms and
effects and recommended treatment.
• Section 5: Fire-fighting measures –
Extinguishing techniques and proper
equipment to use. Chemical hazards
resulting from a fire.

8. SDS
• Section 6: Accidental release measures – Emergency
procedures, protective equipment and proper
methods of containment and cleanup should a leak or
spill occur.
• Section 7: Handling and storage –
Specific precautions for safe handling
and storage, including incompatibilities.
• Section 8: Exposure controls/personal protection –
OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL), Threshold
Limit Values (TLV), engineering controls and Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) required.

9. SDS
• Section 9: Physical and chemical properties – The
chemicals properties, such as color, odor, flash point
(temperature of which vapor can ignite), melting and
boiling points and state of matter (liquid or gas).
• Section 10: Stability and reactivity – possibility of
hazardous reactions and which conditions and
materials to avoid.
• Section 11: Toxicological information – Likely
routes of exposure, symptoms related to
exposure and numerical measure of toxicity.

10. SDS
• Section 12: Ecological information – Impact a spill
would have on the environment.
• Section 13: Disposal considerations – Methods for
proper disposal. Special precautions for landfills or
incineration.
• Section 14: Transportation information – Safe
modes of transporting the product.

11. SDS
• Section 15: Regulatory information – Specific
regulations for the product not listed elsewhere on
the SDS.
• Section 16: Other information –
Date the SDS was prepared or
date of last revision.

12. Chemical Labels
• Manufacturers will also follow a new format for
the labeling of hazardous chemicals by June 1,
2015.
• All labels will have pictograms, a signal word (if
hazard is severe enough) hazard and precautionary
statements, the product identifier and supplier
identification information.
• Label information must match the
information on the SDS.

13. Recommended measures to minimize exposure
Nature of
hazard
Different pictogram for each hazard.
Will be
outlined
in red.
Either Danger
or Warning

15. For further information, log on to:
www.osha.gov/