Safety data sheet Facts for Kids

"MSDS" redirects here. For the video game, see MapleStory DS.

A safety data sheet (SDS) is like a special safety guide for chemicals and products. It gives important information about how to use different substances safely and what dangers they might have. Think of it as a detailed instruction manual for chemicals!

SDSs are used all over the world to share information about chemicals, mixtures, and compounds. They tell you how to handle a product safely, what risks it might have for people working with it, and what to do if there's a spill. In the past, these sheets (sometimes called MSDS) could look different in various countries. But now, the newer SDS format is the same everywhere, which makes things much clearer.

An SDS is mostly for people who work with chemicals, not for everyday shoppers. It focuses on how to stay safe when using these materials at work. Products also need special labels that show if they are dangerous for health, the environment, or if they can catch fire. These labels often have symbols to warn you.

Sometimes, the same product, like a type of paint, might have slightly different ingredients in different countries. Also, different companies might make a product with the same name but use different ingredients. This is why the SDS is so important – it tells you exactly what's in the product you are using and how to handle it safely.

Worldwide Chemical Safety System
Safety Rules Around the World
Creating Safety Data Sheets
See also

Worldwide Chemical Safety System

The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) is a worldwide plan for how safety data sheets should look. This system makes sure that SDSs are easy to understand no matter where you are.

An SDS following GHS has 16 main sections. For chemicals, there might also be an extra part that explains how people might be exposed to the substance.

Here are the 16 sections you'll find in an SDS:

SECTION 1: What the chemical is and who makes it
SECTION 2: What dangers the chemical has
SECTION 3: What the chemical is made of
SECTION 4: What to do if someone needs first aid
SECTION 5: How to put out a fire involving the chemical
SECTION 6: What to do if the chemical spills
SECTION 7: How to handle and store the chemical safely
SECTION 8: How to protect yourself (like wearing gloves or masks)
SECTION 9: What the chemical looks like and its properties (like smell or boiling point)
SECTION 10: How stable the chemical is and if it reacts with other things
SECTION 11: Information about how toxic the chemical is
SECTION 12: How the chemical affects the environment
SECTION 13: How to get rid of the chemical safely
SECTION 14: How to transport the chemical safely
SECTION 15: Important safety rules and laws
SECTION 16: Other important information, like when the SDS was last updated

Safety Rules Around the World

Different countries have their own rules about safety data sheets, but many are now using the worldwide GHS system.

Canada's Safety Rules

In Canada, there's a program called the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). It sets the rules for SDSs in workplaces. This program helps make sure workers know about the dangers of chemicals they use.

European Union's Safety Rules

In the European Union, safety data sheets are a key part of a system called REACH. This system helps manage chemicals safely. The rules for SDSs in the EU have been updated to match the worldwide GHS system.

An SDS must be provided in the official language of the country where the chemical is sold. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) provides guides on how to create these safety sheets.

South Africa's Safety Rules

As countries trade more with each other, more dangerous materials are moved across borders. To keep everyone safe, the United Nations has created guidelines for transporting hazardous goods by land, air, and sea.

Other groups, like the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), also give detailed advice for shipping dangerous goods. These international rules help guide how hazardous materials are transported in South Africa.

South Africa also has its own laws about chemical safety. For example, the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1993 helps make sure hazardous materials are handled and stored safely at work. The National Road Traffic Act of 1996 deals with transporting these goods.

Because of these laws, SDSs are required for many chemicals in South Africa. They help make sure chemicals are managed safely at every step, from making them to using them.

United Kingdom's Safety Rules

In the U.K., the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations are important. They require employers to assess the risks of hazardous substances in the workplace. Employers must give their workers information and training about these substances. This is why getting an SDS from a supplier is so important.

Even if you buy products from a large store, you can often find their SDSs on the company's website. If not, you can usually ask for a copy.

United Nations' Role

The United Nations (UN) helps set some of the details used in SDSs. For example, they define the UN numbers. These are special numbers that identify certain dangerous materials when they are being shipped internationally.

United States' Safety Rules

In the U.S., the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that SDSs are easily available to all workers who handle potentially harmful substances. Local fire departments and emergency planners also need access to these sheets. The American Chemical Society gives a unique number, called a CAS number, to each chemical, which is used worldwide in SDSs.

Studies by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board have found problems with some older safety data sheets. For example, a study of substances that can create dangerous dust found that many SDSs didn't have all the safety information needed. Some didn't even mention that the substance could catch fire!

In 2012, the U.S. started using the 16-section Safety Data Sheet format, which follows the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). By June 2015, most workplaces had to update their old MSDSs to the new SDS format.

Creating Safety Data Sheets

Many companies help create, update, and manage safety data sheets. They make sure the information is current and available. In some places, companies are required to update their SDSs regularly, usually every three to five years. However, if new safety information comes out, the SDS must be updated right away. If a full SDS isn't possible, a smaller workplace label should be made.

Safety data sheet facts for kids

Contents