Record Keeping

Record keeping provides a resource for communicating hazards in the workplace. A SDS gives detailed information about the nature of a chemical, such as physical and chemical properties, and health, safety, fire, and environmental hazards of a chemical product. These sheets are designed to educate workers who may be exposed to hazardous materials.

These forms support occupational safety and health, as well as spill-handling procedures.

The information captured on an SDS helps groups, such as employers, workers, and OSHA, to do the following:

• Evaluate the safety of the workplace
• Understand industry hazards
• Reduce and eliminate specific hazards
• Prevent workplace injury and illness

An SDS organizes the information OSHA asks employers to communicate through the Hazard Communication Standard.

Employers that require the use of chemical handling should update an SDS:

• To communicate when new chemicals have become available
• To provide training on the new label elements
• To update hazard communication programs if new hazards are identified

Chemical Producers should complete specific tasks to reduce workplace hazards, such as:

• Reviewing hazard information for all chemicals
• Classifying chemicals according to the new classification criteria
• Updating labels
• Updating SDS

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