Safety Data Sheets: First Aid and PPE
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are an essential component of all workplaces housing or using chemicals. This document contains a variety of information regarding the safe use of the chemical it describes. OSHA 29 CFR 1900.1200(g) lays out the 16 required sections of this sheet.
For our purposes today, we are going to focus on Section 4 (First-aid Measures) and Section 8 (Exposure Controls/Personal Protection) of each sheet. However, if you or your employees are working with chemicals of any kind, you must be prepared to read each SDS in its entirety and implement all requirements (i.e. storage).
Section 4 is the First-aid Measures section of your SDS. According to OSHA’s Brief, “Hazard Communication Standard: Safety Data Sheets,” this section covers a couple of first aid related items. You will find instructions for “untrained responders” on the initial care that needs to be given to someone who is exposed to the chemical. These instructions will be broken down by the kind of exposure (i.e. skin contact or ingestion), information on the “most important” symptoms/effects, explanations of any symptoms that are acute or delayed, and recommendations for immediate medical care. If there is any special treatment necessary, that information will also be included here.
For PPE, we will look to Section 8 which covers both exposure controls and personal protection. On the side of exposure controls, you will find information about exposure limits, potentially from a variety of courses, as well as engineering controls needed. This section will detail recommended PPE in order to best prevent illness or injury as a result of using the chemical. Additionally, you will find any special PPE requirements such as material type.
These are just 2 of the 16 sections present on any safety data sheet you come across. Each section provides important information for ensuring that all who work around or with these chemicals are doing so safely. However, this information is useless if not accessible to those employees. Another primary requirement of these sheets is that the information is quickly and easily accessible to workers. Often this is in the form of an SDS binder or, in some cases, on a computer. In either situation, the information must be in the same workspace as the chemical being used to guarantee quick access to needed information in the case of an emergency.
For more information on Safety Data Sheets, be sure to review both the OSHA regulation and brief, linked below. As always, we are happy to help answer any questions you may have! Reach out to 919-602-2503 or marketing@safetypackonline.com with any questions!
Resources:
OSHA 29 CRF 1910.1200(g): https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1200
OSHA Brief, “Hazard Communication Standard: Safety Data Sheets”: https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3514.pdf