Preparation of SDS

SDS’s must be prepared by following certain points which help in making the information more user-friendly, comprehensible, and reliable [3].

• It should be prepared by a proficient and skillful person.
• It must be written about a specific chemical. Every chemical has its own safety data sheet.
• It should be provided free of cost to consumers by the local supplier.
• It must be written clearly so that it can be easily understandable.
• It should be based on sixteen sections accepted internationally.
• It should be provided in the official language of the State in which it is typically utilized by the local consumers.
• It must be numbered and dated carefully.
• It should be amended graciously according to the new updated information about the specific chemical.

Information Provided in SDS’s

The information provided in the safety data sheets (SDS) are divided into sixteen sections internationally agreed and these are discussed below in detail [3][4][5].

1. Identification of Product:
   In safety data sheets (SDS), section 1 consists of basic information about the chemical like other labels by which it is recognized in the market and detail of restrictions on use (if any). This specific section is typically based on the precise details of the product identifier, trade name, and practical uses of the identified chemical. It also narrates the contact number, address, and email address of the manufacturer or supplier.
2. Hazard Identification:
   This section in safety data sheets (SDS) point to the threat associated with the use of the specific chemical. It is precious for the safety of workers and consumers. It also enlightens the precautionary and hazard statements. This section provides details about the classification of the hazard, precautionary codes, hazard codes, pictogram, and signal words. These pictograms are divided into three categories described below.
   • Physical hazards
   • Environmental hazards
   • Potential health hazards

   The basic information in this section must be reliable and accurate.

3. Composition or Information of Ingredients:
   This section represents the identity of the chemical (unique identifiers like European community number or CAS Number) and the concentration of different ingredients in the mixture. The expected percentages of the essential ingredients are prominently mentioned in this considered section rather than the exact percentage as a trade secret.
4. First Aid Measures:
   In this safety data sheet (SDS) section, it explains the necessary first aid measures in case of contact with a specific chemical. It provides information about the symptoms, acute or chronic effects of the chemical in case of accidental exposure through ingestion, eyes, skin, and inhalation. This key section in the safety data sheets (SDS), typically recommends washing the affected area immediately and on severe symptoms, it recommends seeking medical care as soon as possible.
5. Fire Fighting Measures:
   Many chemicals possess the ability to ignite at ambient temperature. They are combustible and flammable in nature. This section in the safety data sheets (SDS) provide basic information to firefighters on how to extinguish fire caused by the ignition of certain chemicals. It additionally provides detail of extinguishing media, protective equipment, and techniques used during fire-fighting.
6. Accidental Release Measures:
   Terrible accidents are admittedly unavoidable situations that occurred during chemical handling. This considerable section in the safety data sheets (SDS) adequately provides necessary information on how to properly handle or what should be promptly done on the accidental release of the specific chemical. Specific recommendations on the emergency plan of action and effective clean-up techniques are written in this section.
7. Handling and Storage:
   This section helps understanding storage and handling techniques to minimize exposure rate. It additionally provides information about how to store certain chemicals safely at ambient temperature to prevent any type of accidental release in the surrounding.
8. Physical and Chemical Properties:
   This section provides information about the physical and chemical properties of chemical named below.

   Appearance and color	Evaporation and Vaporization rate	Solubility, Solubility in water, and solubility in organic solvents.
   Odor	Freezing point	Decomposition temperature and pH.
   Melting and boiling point	Density and Vapor density	Flammability and Viscosity, etc.

9. Stability and Chemical Reactivity:
   This section provides details about the stabilizers needed to maintain the stability of the chemical at ambient temperature, stability of the chemical under a certain range of temperature, and chemical reactivity hazards.
10. Toxicological Information:
    This section of a safety data sheets (SDS) provides information about the toxic effects of the specific chemical on the health of typical workers, responsible employers, or academic researchers. It also explains the symptoms caused by the toxicity of the chemical at numerous stages of exposure.
11. Ecological Information:
    This section in the safety data sheets (SDS) includes information about the adverse effect of the chemical on the environment if released in the surrounding. It explains the accumulation of chemicals in the surroundings and the rate of eco-toxicity in the environment.
12. Disposal Considerations:
    This safety data sheets (SDS) section provides precise details about the recycling, ultimate disposal, and safe handling of a certain chemical. Practical recommendations are delivered on how to carefully dispose of the remaining chemical without affecting the environment.
13. Transport Information:
    Section 13 provides information about the storage mediums, shipping details, identification number of chemicals, environmental and transportation hazards.
14. Regulatory Information:
    This section is updated according to modern researches and explorations. Any type of change in the information related to health, safety, and environmental hazards leads to the change in regulation.
15. Other Information:
    Any other details are mentioned in this section. For example, the number of revisions of safety data sheets and preparation date of SDS’s.

What must be done on receiving Safety Data Sheets

Following steps should be followed [3].

• The customer or receiver must examine the document thoroughly on receiving. It is important to make sure the document must consist of sixteen headings.
• Secondly, check the language of the SDS and also make sure it is written clearly and briefly.
• It is substantial to note down the number of suppliers, the company’s number, and most importantly emergency numbers. It is equally significant to check the date of publication and the number of revisions. Additionally, must confirm the date of the last revision of the document.
• Carefully read the details of the product, labels, potential effects, restrictions (if any), and information about safety measures.

References

1. https://www.msds-europe.com/safety-data-sheet-definition/
2. https://institute.acs.org/lab-safety/safety-basics-and-ramp/safety-data-sheets.html
3. https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Publications_and_Forms/Publications/Information_Sheets/SDS_hazchem_info_sheet.pdf
4. https://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/resources/SDS/explained.html
5. https://www.chemwatch.net/blog/what-are-safety-data-sheets-sds-and-why-are-they-important/
6. https://www.chem-map.com/chemical_news/understanding-safety-data-sheets/#:~:text=The%20SDS%20is%20an%20important,safely%20stored%2C%20handled%20or%20used.