EHS Environmental Health & Safety
Marian University
Safety Data Sheet - 16 Section Format
Section. 1. Chemical Product & Company Information
Section. 2. Hazards Identification
Section. 3. Composition/Information on Ingredients
Section. 4. First Aid Measures
Section. 5. Fire Fighting Measures
Section. 6. Accidental Release Measures
Section. 7. Handling and Storage
Section. 8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Section. 9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Section. 10. Stability and Reactivity
Section. 11. Toxicological Information
Section. 12. Ecological Information
Section. 13. Disposal Considerations
Section. 14. Transport Information
Section. 15. Regulatory Information
Section. 16. Other Information
Sample Safety Data Sheet(s) (SDS) Click on PDF's
Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification & Labeling of Chemicals
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration revised the Hazard Communication Standard on May 1, 2012 to bring it inline with the international Globally Harmonized System of Classification & Labeling of Chemicals adopted by the United Nations in 2002 and by many countries since.
What is the GHS?
The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals is a worldwide initiative to promote standard criteria for classifying chemicals according to their health, physical and environmental hazards. The GHS was developed by an international mandate to benefit countries, international organizations and chemical producers, to enhance the protection of humans and the environment, to facilitate international chemicals trade, and to reduce redundant and costly testing and evaluation. To date, 67 countries, including the US and Canada have adopted GHS.
Source: Safetec - Sustainable Chemical & Regulatory Compliance - website
What does it mean to you.
The transmittal of a containers hazards will be easier to identify because of the mandated use pictograms, along with a GHS signal word either "Warning" or "Danger" which informs the user of the relative level of the hazard's severity. The label now includes hazard statements and precautionary statements in easy to understand terms. Also the Safety Data Sheets ("material" is now dropped) must follow a stardard 16 section format, so that the user will be able to find the safety related information always in the same section.
There are also international chemical safety cards, and additional topics for employee safety awareness training.
GHS Classification of Chemicals
The basic elements involved in classification of substances using the GHS system apply three types of classification criteria: Physical Hazards, Health Hazards and Environmental Hazards.
Select picture to view the GHS Quick Guide
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 – Single exposure, categories 1,2
Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Repeated exposure, categories 1,2
Aspiration Hazard, category 1
Flame
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
Exclamation Mark
Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), category 4
Skin irritation, category 2
Eye irritation, category 2
Skin sensitisation, category 1
Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Single exposure, category 3
Hazardous to Ozone Layer (Non-Mandatory)
Gas Cylinder
Gases Under Pressure
Compressed gases
Liquefied gases
Refrigerated liquefied gases
Dissolved gases
Corrosion
Corrosive to metals, category 1
Skin corrosion, categories 1A,1B,1C
Serious eye damage, category 1
Exploding Bomb
Unstable explosives
Explosives of Divisions 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
Self reactive substances and mixtures, Types A,B
Organic peroxides, Types A,B
Flame Over Circle
Oxidizing gases, category 1
Oxidizing liquids, categories 1,2,3
Environment (Non-Mandatory)
Hazardous to the aquatic environment
Acute hazard, category 1
Chronic hazard, categories 1,2
Skull and Crossbones
Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), categories 1,2,3