What Is on a Safety Data Sheet?

Going to work might sound like a simple thing, but if you work around certain chemicals, it can be pretty dangerous. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 2.7 million workplace illnesses and injuries in 2020. One of the best ways to prevent illness and injury when at work is to fully utilize a product’s safety data sheet.

What is on a safety data sheet, though? How do you read it? Read on to learn everything you need to know to stay safe on the job.

What Is a Safety Data Sheet?

A safety data sheet is a sheet attached to any kind of chemical that poses a hazard to people who handle it. In general, these types of chemicals are classified as chemicals that are dangerous to supply.

Your employer is required to make safety data sheets easily accessible to anyone who works with that particular chemical. Worried that your place of employment doesn’t have safety data sheets for the materials you work with? Tell your supervisor to make contact here to get the proper sheets for anything that poses a risk.

What Is on a Safety Data Sheet?

Safety data sheets are standardized documents that contain critical information about the chemical itself, as well as the proper use and storage of the chemical. There are 16 total sections on the safety data sheet, the first of which identifies the brand name of the chemical and the manufacturer.

A safety data sheet also provides information about the potential hazards associated with the chemical. There’s typically a pictogram showing the hazard, as well as a written statement. Of particular importance is section four, which gives the user first aid instructions in the event that contact is made with the chemical.

A safety data sheet does not provide information that is specific to your workplace. It is the responsibility of your employer to review safety data sheets and develop a safety protocol for employees. This is based on how your employer uses the product and the plan they have in place to mitigate risks.

How Do You Read a Safety Data Sheet?

Safety data sheets are relatively easy to read and understand. The same information is in the same section for each chemical, which makes navigating to a particular section very easy. Spend some time going through the safety data sheets at your workplace so you have a firm grasp on where to locate important information before you start working with chemicals.

Loved These Safety Data Sheet Tips?

It’s easy for supervisors who’ve worked around chemicals to forget that their employees might not know what is on a safety data sheet. If you want to make sure that you’re as safe as possible when you’re working, then it’s critical that you learn how to properly read and utilize the sheet. Before long, you’ll be a safety data sheet pro!

Do you want to learn about more awesome ways to improve your career and life? We can help you out with that! Check out the rest of our blog for tons of helpful tips!