Safety data sheet
SDS information may include instructions for the safe use and potential hazards associated with a particular material or product, along with spill-handling procedures.
An SDS for a substance is not primarily intended for use by the general consumer, focusing instead on the hazards of working with the material in an occupational setting.
The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals contains a standard specification for safety data sheets.
As globalisation increased and countries engaged in cross-border trade, the quantity of hazardous material crossing international borders amplified.
[14] The committee provides best practises governing the conveyance of hazardous materials and goods for land including road and railway; air as well as sea transportation.
These guidelines prescribed by the international authorities are applicable to the South African land, sea and air transportation of hazardous materials and goods.
[19][20] There has been selective incorporation of aspects of the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals into South African legislation.
[24] Regulation 12 requires that an employer provides employees with information, instruction and training for people exposed to hazardous substances.
Web sites of manufacturers and large suppliers do not always include them even if the information is obtainable from retailers but written or telephone requests for paper copies will usually be responded to favourably.
The United Nations (UN) defines certain details used in SDSs such as the UN numbers used to identify some hazardous materials in a standard form while in international transit.
In the U.S., the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that SDSs be readily available to all employees for potentially harmful substances handled in the workplace under the Hazard Communication Standard.
[26] None of the SDSs contained all the information the board said was needed to work with the material safely, and 41 percent failed to even mention that the substance was combustible.
By 1 June 2015, employers were required to have their workplace labeling and hazard communication programs updated as necessary – including all MSDSs replaced with SDS-formatted documents.
[28] Many companies offer the service of collecting, or writing and revising, data sheets to ensure they are up to date and available for their subscribers or users.
