Safety Data Sheets
[ch 6: pages 106-107]The HSE explains that safety data sheets provide information on chemical products that help users of those chemicals to 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 above) – 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 (www.hse.gov.uk/reach/resources/reachsds.pdf), 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;
• fire-fighting 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.