Safety data sheets need to be prepared by professionals – here’s why

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Safety Data Sheets Need to be prepared by
Professionals Heres why
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One of the biggest issues for those
manufacturing/dealing in/importing chemicals is
that they must company with OSHA HazCom2012 and
update existing MSDS to the new GHS SDS. On the
face of it that should not be a difficult task
since most of the information is contained in the
existing MSDS. The twist is that UN GHS
classification system reclassified certain
chemicals according to latest information on
their hazard potentials. This means that if a
chemical is classified under one head in the
MSDS, then, in the new SDS it may have to be
classified under a new category and sub-category.
The Documentation for this is extensive and it
needs expertise to determine the exact category,
a task further compounded if the chemical in
question is a formulation made up of different
chemicals.
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The new SDS aims to promote greater worker
protection and safety at workplaces. Training is
part of the process of updating and complying
with the new regulations. Safety concerns not
only people directly handling chemicals in the
processing and storage but also transporters and
emergency responders and, to a lesser degree,
downstream users. The data sheet must match
criteria for health and physical safety. If it
were only one chemical, then producing a safety
data sheet would not be so difficult. It becomes
difficult when the data sheet must apply to a
formulation that would not match the criteria for
classification but if it contains a hazardous
ingredient then the data sheet is mandatory at
item 3 of the SDS format. In such cases where
formulations are proprietory, full disclosure
must be made about ingredients in the normal
course in some jurisdictions but manufacturers
wishing to not reveal trade secrets are eligible
to exemptions while remaining compliant.
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This is where an expert provides just the right
services in the preparation of the documentation
while maintaining confidentiality of proprietary
information. Minimum information must be supplied
and if no such information is available then it
must be clearly mentioned under that heading.
Then there is item 6 relating to accidental
release measures, item 7 pertaining to handling
and storage and item 8 pertaining to exposure
controls and protection. These are the items
usually referred to in case of emergencies and
professionals use the right terminologies and
words to convey just the right information that
will enable the right action to be taken. At item
11 one must state the toxicological information.
New information is always coming to light and
experts keep themselves updated.
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Engaging them to prepare SDS is one way to ensure
greater safety because they will incorporate the
latest information and measures to be taken in
the case of incidents. For someone who deals
only inside the US compliance ensures better
safety and enhanced reputation. For companies
that are engaged in global sales, retaining
professionals becomes even more important. This
is because various countries have adopted various
versions and revisions of UN GHS and the
documents must be in the local language, both in
printed format and electronic format. Some areas
are more stringent such as the EU with its
extended REACH SDS requirements. The right agency
handles everything.
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