The Importance of the Safety Data Sheet
The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is one of the three key elements of WHMIS along with product
labels and worker education. The main source of information about a hazardous product. To
comply with WHMIS, there must be an SDS available for every hazardous product in the
workplace.
What the SDS Tells You
The SDS has more information about the hazardous product than the supplier label and
should be read by workers before they use the product for the first time. The SDS tells you:
Who made it
The hazards
How to use the product safely
What will happen if the hazard information is not followed
What to do if there is a workplace incident involving the product
How to recognize adverse health effects
Spill control and disposal information
SDSs: Roles and Responsibilities
Responsibilities of a Supplier of a Hazardous Product (WHMIS 2015)
The supplier must:
1. Produce and provide an SDS (Safety Data Sheet)
– The SDS must be available in both English and French when the product is sold or
imported into Canada.
2. Keep the SDS updated
– If the supplier learns any new, significant information about the hazards or safe use
of the product, they must update the SDS immediately and provide the new version to
customers.
The employer must:
1. Ensure an SDS is available for every hazardous product in the workplace
This includes:
SDSs must be readily accessible to all employees, at all times and on all worksites.
SDSs may be electronic, as long as:
All employees have access to a computer, and
Employees are trained on how to access the SDS electronically.
A hard copy must be provided to any employee if they request one.
2. Ensure all SDSs are up-to-date
Employers must make sure they are using the latest version of each SDS provided by the
supplier.
3. Produce a bilingual SDS for any hazardous product made in the workplace
If the company creates or formulates a hazardous product onsite (e.g., custom chemicals,
mixtures, cleaners), the employer becomes the “supplier” and must prepare an SDS in both
English and French.
Employee Responsibilities (WHMIS 2015)
1. Employees must familiarize themselves with the SDS
Workers are required to take the time to read and understand the information on the SDS for
every hazardous product they work with.
This includes learning about:
Hazards
Safe handling
Storage
PPE
First aid measures
Emergency procedures
2. Employees must NOT use a hazardous product before reading the SDS
You are not allowed to handle or use a hazardous product until you understand:
How to use it safely
What dangers it poses
What to do in case of an emergency
The Safety Data Sheet
The SDS include 16 sections of information which appear in the same order on every SDS:
Section 1: Identification
Section 2: Hazard 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
The SDS must be accurate at the time of sale or import and must be updated when significant
new data becomes available. Suppliers must provide this new information at the time of sale.
Sections 1 – 4
Section 1: Identification of the substance or mixture and of the supplier identifies the
product, provides information about recommended use and restrictions on use, and includes
contact information for the supplier and an emergency phone number. The SDS will include
the same product identifier that is used on the GHS product label and may also include other
means of identification.
Section 2: Hazard identification includes classification (hazard class and category), label
elements (hazard pictogram, the signal word, hazard statement and precautionary statements),
and information about other hazards (e.g. thermal hazards).
Section 3: Composition/information on ingredients provides the chemical identity for a
substance, synonyms, CAS number, and other unique identifiers, impurities and stabilizing
additives. If the hazardous product is a mixture, this section will include the chemical
identity, synonyms, CAS and concentration for each ingredient that presents a health hazard.
Section 4: First-aid measures describes first aid measures by route of exposure as well as by
symptoms/effects.
Sections 5 to 8
Section 5: Fire-fighting measures provides information about what should and should not
be used to extinguish a fire involving the product, identifies specific hazards arising from the
chemical (e.g. the nature of any hazardous combustions products), and lists special protective
equipment and precautions for fire fighters.
Section 6: Accidental release measures provides information about protective equipment,
emergency procedures, and methods and materials for containment and clean up.
Section 7: Handling and storage lists precautions for safe handling and the conditions for
safe storage, including incompatibilities.
Section 8: Exposure controls/personal protection contains information about exposure
limits, engineering controls and personal protective equipment.
Section 9
Physical and chemical properties, lists the chemical's characteristics, including:
Appearance
Odor and odor threshold
pH
Melting point/freezing point
Initial boiling point and boiling range
Flash point
Evaporation rate
Flammability (solid, gas)
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits
Vapor pressure
Vapor density
Relative density
Solubility(ies)
Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water
Auto-ignition temperature
Decomposition temperature
Viscosity
Sections 10 and 11
Section 10: Stability and reactivity provides information about reactivity, chemical stability,
possible hazardous reactions, conditions to avoid (e.g. vibrations, shock), incompatible
materials, and hazardous decomposition products.
Section 11: Toxicological Information describes various toxic effects by route of entry,
including effects of acute or toxic exposure, carcinogenicity, reproductive effects, and
respiratory sensitization.
Sections 12 - 16
Sections 12-15 cover information related to the environment and transportation. Each of these
sections (12-15) requires the headings to be present on the SDS. The supplier has the option
not to provide information in these sections.
Section 12: Ecological information includes information about aquatic and terrestrial
toxicity (if available), persistence and degradability, mobility in soil, and bio-accumulative
potential (tendency to accumulate in the body).
Section 13: Disposal considerations, describes safe handling and methods of disposal,
including contaminated packaging.
Section 14: Transport information includes the UN number and proper shipping name,
hazard classes, and packing group.
Section 15: Regulatory information covers the safety, health and environmental regulations
specific to the product.
Section 16: Other information includes the date of preparation or last revision of the SDS.