A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a document that gives detailed information about a hazardous product: its hazards, how to use and store it safely, and what to do in an emergency. The label gives you the key points; the SDS gives you the details.
Who provides the SDS
- The supplier must provide an SDS for each hazardous product it sells or imports.
- The SDS must be in English and French (one bilingual SDS, or one in each language).
- The supplier must update the SDS when it learns significant new data about the product's hazards or how to protect against them, generally within 90 days.
The 16 sections
Every WHMIS SDS uses the same 16 sections in the same order, with standard headings. This makes it easier to find information quickly.
- Identification
- Hazard identification
- Composition/information on ingredients
- First-aid measures
- Fire-fighting measures
- Accidental release measures
- Handling and storage
- Exposure controls/personal protection
- Physical and chemical properties
- Stability and reactivity
- Toxicological information
- Ecological information
- Disposal considerations
- Transport information
- Regulatory information
- Other information
Sections 12 to 15 must have their headings, but the supplier may choose not to give information in them under WHMIS.
The key sections in more detail
Section 1 — Identification. The product identifier (the same name as on the label), the recommended use and any restrictions on use, the name, address and phone number of the Canadian supplier, and an emergency telephone number.
Section 2 — Hazard identification. The product's hazard classes and categories, and the label elements: pictograms, signal word, hazard statements and precautionary statements. It also lists other known hazards.
Section 3 — Composition/information on ingredients. The names and concentrations of hazardous ingredients.
Section 4 — First-aid measures. What to do if someone is exposed, organised by route of exposure: breathing in (inhalation), skin contact, eye contact and swallowing (ingestion). It also lists the most important symptoms and whether immediate medical attention is needed.
Section 5 — Fire-fighting measures. Which extinguishing media to use and which not to use (for example, "do not use a water jet"), special hazards from the burning product, and protective equipment for firefighters.
Section 6 — Accidental release measures. What to do if the product spills or leaks: personal precautions, protective equipment, emergency procedures, and how to contain and clean up the spill.
Section 7 — Handling and storage. Precautions for safe handling and conditions for safe storage, including incompatible materials that must be kept apart.
Section 8 — Exposure controls/personal protection. Exposure limits, engineering controls such as ventilation, and the personal protective equipment (PPE) needed, such as gloves, eye protection or respiratory protection.
Section 10 — Stability and reactivity. Conditions to avoid and materials the product reacts dangerously with.
Section 11 — Toxicological information. How the product can enter the body (routes of exposure), the symptoms, and the short-term and long-term health effects, such as whether it can cause cancer or organ damage.
Section 16 — Other information. Includes the date of the latest revision of the SDS.
The employer's duties
- Make sure there is an SDS for each hazardous product at the workplace.
- Make SDSs readily available to workers and to the health and safety committee or representative, close to where the products are used. They can be on paper or on a computer system, as long as workers know how to get to them and the system works when needed.
- Make sure SDSs are up to date. The rules on how employers keep SDSs current are a little different from one province or territory to another.
Where to look: a quick guide
- "What should I do if I get it in my eyes?" → Section 4
- "Which fire extinguisher do we use?" → Section 5
- "It spilled. How do we clean it up?" → Section 6
- "Can I store it next to this other product?" → Section 7 (and Section 10)
- "Which gloves do I need?" → Section 8
- "Can long-term exposure harm my health?" → Section 11