Safety Data Sheet Search

What is a Safety Data Sheet?

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS), or Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), is a standardized document that contains occupational safety and health data. The International Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) mandates that chemical manufacturers must communicate a chemical’s hazard information to chemical handlers by providing a Safety Data Sheet. They typically contain chemical properties, health, and environmental hazards, protective measures, as well as safety precautions for storing, handling, and transporting chemicals.

Globally Harmonized System

GHS is a set of international guidelines that were developed by the United Nations. These guidelines were created to ensure the safe manufacturing, handling, use, disposal, and transport of hazardous materials. The GHS system is used to:

• Classify chemical data and hazard criteria.
• Identify a chemical’s health, physical, and environmental hazards.
• Provide chemical manufacturers and distributors with a well-defined system to communicate a chemical’s hazard information and protective measures.

SDS Structure and Format

Safety data sheets have sixteen sections. The early sections, one through eight, focus on quick access to essential information that might be required by chemical handlers for safe handling practices or by emergency response personnel. Sections nine through eleven contain technical and scientific data, e.g., stability, reactivity, physical & chemical properties. Sections twelve through fifteen are not mandatory; however, they are required to be fully GHS compliant. The last section, section sixteen, contains information about the SDS itself, e.g., the revision date and changes since the last version.

Do I need an SDS?

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Safety Data Sheets are required for hazardous chemicals under the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). The HCS is a regulation that requires employers to provide information to workers about the hazardous chemicals they may be exposed to in the workplace, including information about the properties and potential hazards of these chemicals. Employers are required to have an SDS for each hazardous chemical they use or handle and to ensure that workers have access to them. The SDS must be updated annually and must contain information on the product’s composition, physical and chemical properties, fire-fighting measures, accidental release measures, handling and storage, exposure controls, and personal protection, among other things. The purpose of the SDS is to ensure that workers have access to information about the chemicals they may be exposed to and to promote their health and safety in the workplace.

Where can I find SDSs online?

There are several online sources where you can find Safety Data Sheets:

Manufacturer or supplier websites: Many manufacturers and suppliers have SDS available on their websites for their products.

• Government agencies: Some government agencies, such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) in the United States, maintain databases of SDS that are publicly accessible.
• Chemical safety databases: There are a number of commercial chemical safety databases that provide access to SDS, such as Sigma-Aldrich, Fisher Scientific, and Safety-Kleen.
• Chemical Safety’s SDS Search Tool: The Chemical Safety Free SDS/ MSDS Database is a comprehensive resource for Safety Data Sheets (SDS) with over 1 million records. This database is constantly updated on a daily basis to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information it contains. The database is accessible for free and is widely used by students, researchers, and professors as an essential tool to further their learning and research objectives.
• Search engines: You can also use search engines, such as Google, to find SDS for specific substances or products by searching for the product name or product identifier (e.g., product code, CAS number) along with the term “SDS”.

What information is on the SDS?

A Safety Data Sheet provides information about the properties and potential hazards of a substance or product. The information on an SDS is organized in a standard format, with 16 sections as outlined below:

Each section provides specific information about the substance or product, such as its composition, potential hazards, handling and storage requirements, and emergency measures. The information on an SDS is intended to help employers and workers understand the risks associated with a substance or product and to promote safe handling and use. It is important to have an up-to-date SDS for each substance or product used in the workplace to ensure that workers have access to the information they need to work safely.

When is the SDS updated?

Manufacturers must update Safety Data Sheets if there are any changes to the regulations or laws that apply to the substance or product, such as changes to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) in the United States. It is important to regularly review and update SDS to ensure that workers have access to the most current and accurate information about the substances and products they may be exposed to in the workplace.

How will I know if an SDS has been updated?

It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that their workers have access to the latest version of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each substance or product used in the workplace. If an SDS has been updated, the employer should provide their workers with access to the updated version.

There are several ways that an employer can keep track of updates to SDS:

• Regular reviews: Employers can conduct regular reviews of their SDS to ensure that they are up-to-date and accurate.
• Manufacturer notifications: Manufacturers or suppliers of a substance or product may notify the employer when an SDS has been updated.
• Software: Employers can use software to manage their SDS and receive notifications of updates.

It is important to have an accurate and up-to-date SDS for each substance or product used in the workplace to ensure that workers have access to the information they need to work safely.

SDS Information for Employers

Employers must ensure that employees have access to safety data sheets for all of the hazardous chemicals they handle. Employers may fulfill this requirement in a variety of ways. For example, SDS binders are quite common as are computer-based SDS databases. What’s important is that employees have access to the safety data sheets for all of the chemicals that they are using. If the employer does not have an SDS for one of these chemicals they should contact the manufacturer to obtain the current version of the SDS for that chemical. In this sense, the online SDS databases have a clear advantage over binder-based systems since the database vendor usually takes care of indexing and updating the safety data sheets.

What are the responsibilities of an employer regarding Safety Data Sheets (SDS)?

As an employer, you have several responsibilities related to Safety Data Sheets (SDS). The main responsibilities are as follows:

1. Obtain SDS/MSDS: Employers must obtain a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each hazardous substance or product used in the workplace.
2. Provide access to SDS: Employers must provide their workers with access to the SDS for each substance or product used in the workplace. This access can be in paper or electronic format.
3. Train employees: Employers must train their workers on the hazards of the substances and products they work with, including the information found on the SDS.
4. Keep SDS up-to-date: Employers must ensure that the SDS they have obtained are up-to-date and accurate. SDS must be updated annually or whenever there is a change to the information contained in the SDS.
5. Replace outdated SDS: Employers must replace any outdated SDS with the most recent version.

These responsibilities are mandated by various regulations and laws, such as the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) in the United States, which require employers to provide their workers with information about the hazards of the substances and products they may be exposed to in the workplace. Failure to comply with these responsibilities can result in legal penalties and harm to the health and safety of workers.

Is all the information I need on the SDS?

Not necessarily. The Safety Data Sheet is not the only source of information you may need in the workplace. While the SDS provides important information about the hazards of a substance or product, it is not a complete source of information.

Additional information may be needed to ensure that workers are protected from the hazards of the substances and products they work with, such as:

• Product label: The product label may provide additional information, such as the product name, product identifier, and manufacturer or supplier contact information.
• Manufacturer or supplier information: The manufacturer or supplier of the substance or product may provide additional information, such as recommended use, storage, and disposal information.
• Industry standards and best practices: Industry standards and best practices may provide additional information and guidance on how to use and handle substances and products safely.
• Regulations and laws: Regulations and laws, such as the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) in the United States, may provide additional information about the responsibilities of employers and workers.

It is important to use the SDS in conjunction with other sources of information to ensure that workers are protected from the hazards of the substances and products they work with.

What are the circumstances when a worker would need to use a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?

A worker may need to use a Safety Data Sheet in the following circumstances:

1. Handling hazardous substances or products: Workers who handle hazardous substances or products, such as chemicals, need to use the SDS to understand the hazards and precautions associated with the substances or products.
2. Accident or emergency response: In the event of an accident or emergency, such as a spill or release of a hazardous substance, workers may need to access the SDS to understand the hazards and appropriate response measures.
3. Training: Workers may need to use the SDS as part of their training to understand the hazards of the substances or products they work with and how to handle them safely.
4. Risk assessment: Workers may need to use the SDS as part of a risk assessment to identify potential hazards and evaluate the risks associated with handling and using the substance or product.
5. Regulatory compliance: Some regulations, such as the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) in the United States, may require workers to have access to the SDS as part of the employer’s obligations to provide information about the hazards of the substances and products they work with.

It is important for workers to understand the hazards associated with the substances and products they work with, and the SDS provides important information that can help workers to work safely and minimize their risk of exposure to hazardous substances.

Hazard Communication Standard Pictogram

The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires pictograms on labels to alert users of the chemical hazards to which they may be exposed. The pictogram on the label is determined by the chemical hazard classification. The pictogram consists of a symbol on a white background framed within a red border and represents a distinct hazard(s).

GHS Hazard	Pictogram	Hazard Class & Hazard Category
Explosive		Unstable Explosives Explosives, Divisions 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 Self-reactive Substances and Mixtures, Types A, B Organic peroxides, types A, B
Flammable		Flammable gases, category 1 Flammable aerosols, categories 1, 2 Flammable liquids, categories 1, 2, 3 Flammable solids, categories 1, 2 Self-reactive substances and mixtures, types B, C, D, E, F Pyrophoric liquids, category 1 Pyrophoric solids, category 1 Self-heating substances and mixtures, categories 1, 2 Substances and mixtures, which in contact with water, emit flammable gases, categories 1, 2, 3 Organic peroxides, types B, C, D, E, F
Oxidizing		Oxidizing Gases, Category 1 Oxidizing Liquids, Categories 1, 2, 3 Oxidizing Solids, Categories 1, 2, 3
Compressed Gas		Compressed Gases Liquefied Gases Refrigerated Liquefied Gases Dissolved Gases
Corrosive		Corrosive to Metals, Category 1
Toxic		Acute Toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Categories 1, 2, 3
Corrosive		Skin Corrosion, Categories 1A, 1B, 1C Serious Eye Damage, Category 1
Irritant		Acute Toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Category 4 Skin Irritation, Categories 2, 3 Eye Irritation, Category 2A Skin Sensitization, Category 1 Specific Target Organ Toxicity Following Single Exposure, Category 3 Respiratory Tract Irritation Narcotic Effects
Health Hazard		Respiratory Sensitization, Category 1 Germ Cell Mutagenicity, Categories 1A, 1B, 2 Carcinogenicity, Categories 1A, 1B, 2 Reproductive toxicity, categories 1A, 1B, 2 Specific Target Organ Toxicity Following Single Exposure, Categories 1, 2 Specific Target Organ Toxicity Following Repeated Exposure, Categories 1, 2 Aspiration Hazard, Categories 1, 2
Environ- mentally Damaging		Acute hazards to the aquatic environment, category 1 Chronic hazards to the aquatic environment, categories 1, 2

Class 1: Explosives

GHS Hazard	Pictogram	Hazard Class & Hazard Category
Divisions 1.1–1.3		Explosives  Division 1.1: Substances and articles which have a mass explosion hazard Division 1.2: Substances and articles which have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard Division 1.3: Substances and articles which have a fire hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a minor projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard
Division 1.4		Explosives  Substances and articles which are classified as explosives but which present no significant hazard
Division 1.5		Explosives  Very insensitive substances which have a mass explosion hazard
Division 1.6		Explosives  No hazard statement

Class 2: Gases

GHS Hazard	Pictogram	Hazard Class & Hazard Category
Division 2.1		Flammable Gases  Gases which at 20 °C and a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa: are ignitable when in a mixture of 13 per cent or less by volume with air; or have a flammable range with air of at least 12 percentage points regardless of the lower flammable limit.
Division 2.2		Non-flammable Non-toxic Gases  Gases which are asphyxiant – gases which dilute or replace the oxygen normally in the atmosphere. Gases which are oxidizing – gases which may, generally by providing oxygen, cause or contribute to the combustion of other material more than air does. Gases which do not come under the other divisions.
Division 2.3		Toxic Gases  Gases which are known to be so toxic or corrosive to humans as to pose a hazard to health. Gases which are presumed to be toxic or corrosive to humans because they have an LC50 value equal to or less than 5000 ml/m3 (ppm).

Classes 3 and 4: Flammable Liquids and Solids

GHS Hazard	Pictogram	Hazard Class & Hazard Category
Class 3		Flammable Liquids  Liquids which have a flash point of less than 60 °C and which are capable of sustaining combustion.
Division 4.1		Flammable Solids, Self-reactive Substances and Solid Desensitized Explosives  Solids which, under conditions encountered in transport, are readily combustible or may cause or contribute to fire through friction; self-reactive substances which are liable to undergo a strongly exothermic reaction; solid desensitized explosives which may explode if not diluted sufficiently.
Division 4.2		Substances Liable to Spontaneous Combustion  Substances which are liable to spontaneous heating under normal conditions encountered in transport, or to heating up in contact with air, and being then liable to catch fire.
Division 4.3		Substances Which in Contact with Water Emit Flammable Gases  Substances which, by interaction with water, are liable to become spontaneously flammable or to give off flammable gases in dangerous quantities.

Other GHS Transport Classes

GHS Hazard	Pictogram	Hazard Class & Hazard Category
Division 5.1		Oxidizing substances  Substances which, while in themselves not necessarily combustible, may, generally by yielding oxygen, cause, or contribute to, the combustion of other material.
Division 5.2		Organic Peroxides  Organic substances which contain the bivalent –O–O– structure and may be considered derivatives of hydrogen peroxide, where one or both of the hydrogen atoms have been replaced by organic radicals.
Division 6.1		Toxic Substances  Substances with an LD50 value ≤ 300 mg/kg (oral) or ≤ 1000 mg/kg (dermal) or an LC50 value ≤ 4000 ml/m3 (inhalation of dusts or mists)
Class 8		Corrosive Substances  Substances which cause full thickness destruction of intact skin tissue on exposure time of less than 4 hours. Substances which exhibit a corrosion rate of more than 6.25 mm per year on either steel or aluminium surfaces at 55 °C.

Basic Searches

Enter the chemical name in the Substance field and click on the Submit button. A list of matching results from one or more manufacturers will be returned if the chemical is found in the database. You can then click on the desired result and a summary page will open.

GHS labels and safety data sheets can be printed or downloaded. Click on the View GHS Label button at the bottom left of the summary page to open the GHS label. Click on the View SDS button at the bottom right of the summary page to open the safety data sheet.

Advanced Searches

More advanced searches can be performed by populating multiple fields with data. For example, enter the chemical name in the Substance field and enter the manufacturer name in the Manufacturer field. This will return fewer, but more precise results. Also, the Search Type can be manipulated using the “begins with” and “contains” drop-down selections.

You can search for SDS’s using the CAS number. This will return only pure chemicals and not mixtures that contain that CAS number.

Use Guidelines

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