Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) play a critical role in workplace safety. They provide detailed, standardized information about hazardous products, including how to handle them safely, what risks they pose, and what to do in an emergency. Whether you’re managing inventory, conducting training, or responding to an incident, SDSs are an essential resource.

What Is an SDS?

An SDS is a document that gives key details about a hazardous product. It outlines physical and health hazards, required precautions, safe handling procedures, and emergency response guidance. SDSs are prepared by the supplier and must be available in both English and French in Canada.

SDSs are required for any hazardous product covered under the Hazardous Products Act and Hazardous Products Regulations. This includes substances that are flammable, toxic, corrosive, reactive, or otherwise dangerous to people or the environment.

What Details Are Included in a Safety Data Sheet?

SDSs follow a strict 16-section format. These sections are standardized to make it easier to locate information quickly in both routine and emergency situations:

Section 1 – Identification

Provides the name of the product, supplier information and recommended use and restrictions on use.

Section 2 – Hazard Identification

Lists the hazard classification (class and category) of the substance or mixture or a description of the identified hazard.

Section 3 – Composition / Information on Ingredients

Lists the chemical name, common name and synonyms and concentration of ingredients or mixtures.

Section 4 – First-aid Measures

Explains the first-aid measures by route of exposure: inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, and ingestion. As well as most the important symptoms/effects.

Section 5 – Fire-fighting Measures

Lists the specific hazards arising from the hazardous product and how to safely extinguish. Lists specific precautions for fire fighters.

Section 6 – Accidental Release Measures

Describes personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures and methods/materials for containment and clean up.

Section 7 – Handling and Storage

Lists the precautions for safe handling, conditions for storage, including any incompatibilities.

Section 8 – Exposure Controls / Personal Protection

Deals with appropriate engineering controls and individual protection measures (PPE).

Section 9 – Physical and Chemical Properties

Describes the product’s physical characteristics such as whether it is a gas, a liquid, or a solid, its colour and appearance, its pH melting/freezing point and range, flashpoint, and upper and lower flammable or explosive limits.

Section 10 – Stability and Reactivity

Describes the product’s reactivity, possibility of hazardous reactions, conditions to avoid, and incompatible materials.

Section 11 – Toxicological Information

Provides complete description of the various toxic health effects by route of entry, including effects of acute (short term) or chronic (long term) exposure, carcinogenicity, reproductive efforts, respiratory sensitization and the data used to identify those effects.

Section 12 – Ecological Information

Lists other adverse effects: aquatic and terrestrial toxicity (where available).

Section 13 – Disposal Considerations

Deals with information on the safe handling for disposal and methods of disposal, including waste packaging.

Section 14 – Transport Information

Provides shipping labelling and special precautions.

Section 15 – Regulatory Information

Lists the safety, health and environmental regulations specific to the product.

Section 16 – Other Information

Provides the date of the latest revision of the SDS.

Employer and Worker Responsibilities

Employers must:

Maintain an up-to-date SDS for each hazardous product used or stored in the workplace.
Make SDSs accessible to all workers at all times, including during shifts and emergencies.
Train workers to read and understand SDSs as part of workplace hazard communication.
Replace outdated SDSs when a new version becomes available.

Workers are expected to review SDSs before using hazardous products and to follow all recommended precautions. If an SDS appears to be missing, outdated, or incomplete, the supplier should be contacted and a current version requested.

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Why SDSs Matter

SDSs support a proactive approach to safety. They help prevent accidents, guide emergency responses, and ensure that workers are informed about the materials they’re exposed to. Keeping SDSs current and accessible is a key part of any effective health and safety program.

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