Ensuring that your workplace is free of hazards is incredibly important, and good safety data sheet practice is a key part of that process.
Safety data sheets are documents that focus on hazardous chemicals. They are written or printed records and are an incredibly important part of a company’s hazard monitoring system.
In this article, we’re going to explain exactly how easy it is to prepare a working safety data sheet for your company. Read on to find out more!
What Exactly Is a Safety Data Sheet?
A vital source of workplace safety information, safety data sheets organize all the key details about potentially dangerous chemicals conveniently. They can inform all who read them about the particular dangers that a chemical poses to staff and the environment. They can then provide guidelines that help minimize risks and improve employee safety.
An effective SDS system uses a standard format so that all staff can become familiar with how to find important information quickly.
This ensures that everyone involved with handling a chemical knows how it should be used, stored, and disposed of in a safe and legal manner.
An SDS can also detail the process to minimize damage when an incident does occur with a hazardous chemical.
How Are Safety Data Sheets Formatted?
There is a standard format for safety data sheets. It includes splitting your sheet into several sections and having particular subsections.
Sixteen sections in total must be included in your datasheet, all containing important information that ensures job site safety.
Your sheet must also be classified and labeled under the correct GHS and CLP labels. The final requirement is that it uses the jargon of the market that your company is working in to ensure specificity when it comes to materials and their uses.
Safety Data Sheet Best Practice
Though keeping on top of SDS management might seem tricky, there are some things you can do to make it much easier. Here are our favorite tips.
Train Staff
This is a priority. You will only get good use out of your SDS system if your staff know how to use the sheets.
Make sure they know how to read the sheets and gain the information they need from them. This will ensure that they use them effectively.
Go Digital
If you want accessibility, even on the go, then start using an online MSDS system. It’s the best way to give all your employees access to the information at the touch of a button.
They can even use the sheets out in the field. This means the SDS will always be on hand when they need it – it’s the pinnacle of smart management.
Update Your Inventory
If your inventory is up to date, you have the ideal way to ensure that all chemicals have an SDS. You can even store the SDS with the corresponding product.
This can be as detailed or complex as you like, as long as it has key information, such as the chemical name and an identifying number.
SDS Best Practice Is Simple
As a smart employer, nothing is holding you back from using safety data sheets to their full advantage. Put these best practice tips into use starting today.
If you’d like more tips and tricks about smart business management, be sure to check out our blog. Our recent posts will be sure to see you right!
