Safety data sheets

Safety data sheets are aimed at providing information on chemical products to help users of those chemicals make a risk assessment. They describe the hazards the chemical presents, and give information on handling, storage and emergency measures in case of accident.

By law, under the REACH regulations (see page 134), suppliers of chemicals must provide an up-to-date safety data sheet if a substance is dangerous.

The HSE cautions that a safety data sheet is not a risk assessment. Employers should use the information it contains to help make their own assessment.

An HSE leaflet, REACH and safety data sheets, explains when a safety data sheet is required. Safety data sheets must be dated and must contain information under the following headings:

• identification of the substance/mixture and of the company/undertaking;

• identification of the hazards;

• composition or information about the ingredients;

• first-aid measures;

• firefighting measures;

• accidental release measures;

• handling and storage;

• exposure controls or personal protection;

• physical and chemical properties;

• stability and reactivity;

• toxicological information;

• ecological information;

• disposal considerations;

• transport information;

• regulatory information; and

• other information.

More information about Safety Data Sheets can be found on the HSE website.