3a. What are the best places to find chemical safety and hazard information?

Knowing and understanding the cleaning chemical products you use and come into contact with is one of the most important steps towards using chemicals safely in your workplace. In this part of our ‘Safe Chemical Handling’ training course we’re going deeper into understanding chemical hazards. 

Let’s do this…

What are the best places to find chemical safety and hazard information?

Knowing where to find chemical safety and hazard information can help prevent accidents. Having easy access to this information can also be very important in an emergency situation. 

For the products you use, you need to know all about their…

1. Product labels

The easiest place to find information about the product you are using is on the label. A label can be written, printed or graphical information that is attached to or printed on the container of a chemical.

So let’s take a look at what’s on our chemical labels and how to interpret this information.

Here is important label information to look for…

• Product name
• Product description and what it is used for.
• How to use directions.
• Container / bottle size (eg. 5 Litres)
• Manufacturer or importer contact details
• QR code for fast access to SDS and product information
• Precautionary statements (including first aid, safety and emergency information)
• • Be aware that depending on label size and space, not all precautionary statements may be listed on the label. You will always find the full comprehensive list of Precautionary Statements in section 2 on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS). That is another reason why it is important to read the SDS before using a product.
• Hazardous ingredients (if required)
• Hazard pictograms (if required)
• Signal word - WARNING or DANGER (if required)
• Hazard Statements (if required)
• Proper shipping name and UN number (if chemical is dangerous goods)
• Expiry date

Chemical labels should be durable, easily legible and resistant to chemicals. They contain vital information for all users of workplace chemicals.

Here’s an example of a hazardous chemical label…

Here’s an example of a non-hazardous chemical label…

2. Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

The Safety Data Sheet is commonly called the SDS. The SDS was formerly known as the Material Safety Data Sheet or MSDS. It’s the first point of reference when assessing workplace risks.

• Contains vital information that is important for all users of chemicals in the workplace including…
• • Chemical identity
  • Hazards
  • Handling and storage
  • PPE requirements
  • First aid and emergency procedures
• Ensure all users have access to chemical SDSs in the workplace
• • Keep a current SDS copy for each chemical on file and available to you or ensure digital access. You should know where the Safety Data Sheets are stored at your workplace at all times.
  • Safety Data Sheets are valid for 5 years from the date of issue
• Ask yourself…
• • Do you have the SDS of the chemicals you use?
  • Do you know where they are?
  • Have you read them?
  • Are they current?
  • If you don’t have them, where can you get them from?
• To access all XO2 Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• • Go to the relevant product page on the XO2 website and click on the SDS tab, then download. Or…
  • Go to… https://www.xo2.com.au/safety-data-sheets

An SDS provides detailed information about each chemical including…

1. Identification
2. • Including emergency number
3. Hazard(s) identification
4. • What is the risk to me?
   • Signal word - Is the product hazardous?
5. Composition and ingredient information
6. • This section discloses all the ingredients that make a product hazardous.
   • This is not usually a full list of ingredients.
7. First aid measures
8. Fire-fighting measures
9. • What to do in the event of a fire.
10. Accidental release measure
11. • What to do in the case of a chemical spill.
12. Handling and storage
13. • How to properly handle and store chemicals.
14. Exposure controls and PPE
15. • Lists the personal protective equipment users should wear when using the product.
16. Physical and chemical properties
17. • What does the product look and smell like
18. Stability and reactivity
19. Toxicological information
20. Ecological information
21. Disposal considerations
22. Transport information
23. • Is this product classified as DG (Dangerous Goods) under the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG)?
24. Regulatory information
25. Any other relevant information

The SDS is written for the undiluted product. Because many chemicals are diluted before they are used, keep in mind the ‘ready-to-use’ product will not be as harmful as the concentrate.

Regardless of this, whenever an accident occurs, always follow the SDS instructions.

Knowing what to do and even more importantly what NOT to do will protect yourself and others from harm. The Safety Data Sheet is the most complete and comprehensive source of safety and hazard information for a chemical.

3. Where else can you find information about a chemical you use?

• Product page on supplier website
• The chemical supplier.
• Your supervisor.
• Your work health and safety representative.
• Safety wall charts.

What other ways could you find the chemical safety information you need?