The Significance of Safety Data Sheets and Understanding Chemical Labels
Every time you open a chemical from Bell Chem – or any other industrial chemical supplier – you are sure to see a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). These sheets are mandated by Hazard Communication Standard regulations. Most consumers simply toss these away before exploring their chemicals, but the insertion of Safety Data Sheets is vitally important for the safety and health of those interacting with chemicals. Learn how to properly read and utilize Safety Data Sheets with this simple guide.
Every SDS you pick up will contain the same 16 sections in the same order for you to quickly discern which area you need to access. Chemicals are often dangerous, and you do not want to waste precious time searching for the solution for a spill within the entire document. Familiarize yourself with each section to ensure you can act quickly.
These are the 16 sections you’ll find in the document:
Identification: gives the chemical name and manufacturer.
Hazard identification: highlights hazard classifications for each chemical, pictograms for hazards, and precautions.
Composition/information on ingredients: gives the chemical’s concentration, chemical abstracts service to allow a compendium of aliases for each chemical, and compound/mixture information.
First aid measures: gives a step-by-step guide for symptoms and effects as well as immediate medical treatment.
Fire-fighting measures: explains the equipment necessary to quell a fire caused by this chemical and provides information on the proper personal equipment to employ.
Accidental release measures: shows how to contain a small or large spill or leak.
Handling and storage: explains how to properly store chemicals and how they should be manipulated.
Exposure controls and personal protection: provides exposure limits and threshold values; it also recommends proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for each chemical.
Physical and chemical properties: gives physical and chemical characteristics such as odor, solubility, melting and boiling points, flammability, and more.
Stability and reactivity: includes how stable the chemical is under normal conditions along with how it will react when conditions are not normal. It also punctuates in which manner chemicals should not be handled.
Toxicological information: explains both short- and long-term inhalation effects.
Ecological information: focuses on how the chemical affects the environment.
Disposal consideration: tells how to safely dispose of the chemical.
Transport information: gives the proper shipping name, transport hazard class, and safe-handling practices while in transit.
Regulatory information is specific health, safety, and environmental regulations.
Other information: tacks on the date the SDS was prepared and when information is updated.
Learning these categories enables your employees to quickly peruse SDSs either online or in your SDS book in case of emergency. Keep your employees and their surroundings safe. Learn to properly read your SDSs and train your employees to recognize the importance of these safety sheets. It could mean the difference between a minor accident and a major emergency.
Bell Chem is your industrial chemical supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or send us an online message.