Worker

Safety data sheets (SDS) are summary documents that provide information about the hazards of a product and advice about safety precautions. SDSs are usually written by the manufacturer or supplier of the hazardous product and must be provided by the suppliers of the hazardous products at the time of sale. In some circumstances, an employer may be required to prepare an SDS (e.g., when the product is produced and used exclusively in that workplace). The SDS must be provided in both English and French.

Safety data sheets provide more detailed hazard information about the product than the label and follow a standardized 16-section format with specified headings and content elements. They are an important information resource for workplaces and workers about the product(s) used. SDSs tell users what the hazards of the product are, how to use the product safely, what to expect if the recommendations are not followed, how to recognize symptoms of exposure, and what to do if emergencies occur.

Think of an SDS as having four main purposes. It provides information on:

• Identification: for the product and supplier.
• Hazards: physical (fire and reactivity) and health.
• Prevention: steps you can take to work safely, reduce or prevent exposure, or in an emergency.
• Response: appropriate responses in various situations (e.g., first-aid, fire, accidental release).

For most people who work with hazardous products, you should always:

• match the name of the product in Section 1 of the safety data sheet to the label.
• check that the product is being used in the way the manufacturer intended. Section 1 of the safety data sheet should describe the typical use of the product and may indicate restrictions. See “A few things to know” below for more information.
• know the hazards, precautions to take, and what to do in an emergency (Section 2),
• understand safe handling and storage instructions (Section 7), and
• understand what to do in an emergency (Sections 4, 5 and 6).

A few things to know:

• Make sure that the product is being used in the way the manufacturer intended; otherwise, the advice provided on the SDS and label may not apply, or the protective measures listed may not be adequate. Section 1 of the SDS should describe the typical use of the product and may indicate restrictions. Ask your supervisor or a health and safety professional for advice if the way you use the product does not match the SDS.
• Section 2 will summarize the hazards related to the product, precautions to take, and what to do in an emergency. Understand that the SDS covers information about the potential hazards but may not be specific about the required safe work procedures needed for your workplace (e.g., the SDS may not specify what type of respirator must be used, just that a respirator is needed). More information can be found by asking your supervisor. These decisions may require the help of a safety professional or someone with chemical safety knowledge.

For more information on SDSs, see CCOHS’ OSH Answers WHMIS – Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

In Canada, there must be a WHMIS program in place in any workplaces where hazardous products are present. Workers must be educated and trained so they understand the hazards and know how to work safely with hazardous products.

All workers who work with a hazardous product, or who may be exposed to a hazardous product as part of their work activities must learn about the hazard information for these products. The hazard information should include the information received from the supplier, as well as any other information that the employer is aware of about the use, storage and handling of each product.

As an example, this education and training must be provided to all workers who:

• May be exposed to a hazardous product due to their work activities (including normal use, maintenance activities, or emergencies).
• Use, store, handle or dispose of a hazardous product.
• Supervise or manage workers who may be exposed, or use, store, handle or dispose of a hazardous product.
• Are involved in emergency response.

Workers require both WHMIS education and worksite-specific training.

Education teaches workers the principles of WHMIS, and the meaning of the information on labels and safety data sheets (SDSs). Generic WHMIS education can apply to any workplace. WHMIS education and training must also include workplace-specific training. The training programs, developed in consultation with the health and safety committee or representative, should include:

1. Education

   • WHMIS background (purpose, legislation, rights and responsibilities)
   • Hazardous products (classes and categories)
   • Safety Data Sheets (purpose, required content and what that information means)
   • Labels (supplier and workplace labels - purpose, required content and what that information means)
   • Hazard pictograms
   • The meaning of all signal words and hazard statements (e.g., Danger. May cause cancer) found on labels and SDSs in the workplace
   • Sources of additional information

2. Training

   Workplace-specific training teaches workers how to work safely with hazardous products at their worksite. Training is specific to a workplace. This training ensures workers know the hazards of specific products in their workplace and the procedures and other measures to work safely with those hazardous products. Training topics include:

   • Specific legislation for the workplace jurisdiction and industry
   • How to identify hazardous products in the workplace and their hazards
   • How to access SDSs
   • The site-specific procedures required for safe use, handling, storage and disposal of a hazardous product and specific personal protective equipment, if required.
   • Any other procedures required when the product is in a pipe, piping system, vessel, tank car, etc.
   • The procedure to follow if the hazardous product may be present in the air and a worker may be exposed.
   • All procedures that must be followed in an emergency involving the hazardous product.

   An inspector may confirm training by asking:

   • What are the hazards of this product?
   • How do you work safely with this hazardous product (controls, specific personal protective equipment, storage, disposal, etc.)?
   • How do you deal with an emergency including an unexpected exposure or spill?
   • Where do you get more information about this product?

For more information, see CCOHS’ OSH Answers WHMIS – Education and Training