Safety Data Sheets


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.