Safety Data Sheets Explained

What is a Safety Data Sheet?

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS), formerly known as a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), provides detailed information to help ensure the safe handling, use, storage and disposal of hazardous substances. SDSs are intended for use by workers, emergency personnel, and anyone who may come into contact with the material.

Each SDS outlines critical information such as:

• Physical and chemical properties (e.g., flash point, boiling point)

• Health hazards and toxicity

• First aid measures

• Safe handling and storage guidelines

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements

• Spill or leak response procedures

When is an SDS Required?

SDSs are only required for substances classified as hazardous. Manufacturers and distributors are not obligated to provide an SDS for materials that are not hazardous.

What Products Are Considered Hazardous and May Require a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?

Under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200, a hazardous chemical is defined as any chemical that presents either a health hazard or a physical hazard.

Health Hazard

A health hazard refers to a chemical that has been shown—through at least one scientifically valid study—to potentially cause acute or chronic health effects in exposed individuals. This includes chemicals that are:

• Carcinogens
• Toxic or highly toxic substances
• Reproductive toxins
• Irritants
• Corrosives
• Sensitizers
• Hepatotoxins (affect the liver)
• Nephrotoxins (affect the kidneys)
• Neurotoxins (affect the nervous system)
• Chemicals that impact the blood-forming system (hematopoietic system)
• Substances that damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes

Physical Hazard

A physical hazard refers to a chemical that has been shown to pose a physical danger, such as the risk of fire, explosion or reactivity. Chemicals classified as physical hazards may have one or more of the following properties:

• Combustible liquid
• Compressed gas
• Explosive
• Flammable (liquid, solid, or gas)
• Organic peroxide
• Oxidizer
• Pyrophoric (can ignite spontaneously in air)
• Unstable or reactive
• Water-reactive (reacts dangerously with water)

To Obtain an SDS

Visit the Product Detail Page of the product you are interested in, and look for a link entitled "Safety Data Sheet" within the Documents section of the page.

We do not have documents prepared for all of our products. If you require documentation upon ordering, please contact our Customer Care Department to let us know your requirements PRIOR to placing your order. Document preparation may take a few days.