How do we improve Chemical SDS management?

(M)SDS data, as you well know is the need for many companies as their employees need to be aware of the hazards they might face while handling certain chemicals or some products. They will also need to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hazard communication standards.

You also need to see that as per the HazCom regulation, the employers who have workers who might work with hazardous products and chemicals should provide access to:

1    .      A properly maintained and written HazCom plan

2    .      A written list of the chemicals available at the facility

3    .      All the chemicals in the workplace, properly labeled

4    .     Well maintained SDS

5   .   Training for workers on the regular and specific chemical hazards, which they may normally be exposed to

To add on, you have seen how OSHA had adopted the GHS or Globally Harmonized System and some companies find this difficult as they were not even compliant with the pre-GHS version of OSHA regulations. In the meantime, as per the compliance with GHS, the Safety Data Sheets require modifications and should be kept updated.

Seeing as how Safety Data sheets needs to be in compliance with the HazCom standards, let’s take a look at some tips to improve the SDS management.

·     Be informed about the updating required: All the employers who are handling a huge volume of hazardous chemical products might be deluged with a flow of the latest updated SDSs data, which will have to be organized into catalogues to be accessed by the employees. Make sure that the documents are updated and ready on time.

·  Have someone in charge of SDS management: The Company should have someone trained responsible for obtaining and maintaining the SDS keeping track of the procedures in case they don’t have access to the SDS on time.  

·    Have access to the latest advanced SDS management tools: With all the development involved while maintaining and managing safety data sheets, electronic management has become the more feasible option, providing access to important resources and a strong technical team.  It also helps to reduce the time spend on maintaining the documents, making it easily accessible for workers online.

·       Old Safety data sheets have to be maintained in an archive:  It is best to maintain a record of the old safety data sheet details and information, such as where and when it was used over the past three decades or beyond etc. The chemical inventory maintained can contain the specific date and location information. These details will help employees to be aware of the issue arising due to exposure to specific chemical and the safety measures to follow.

·      Provide training for employees on how to use SDS effectively:Every employee should be given the training on how best to use the SDS sheets and make informed decisions as to the personal protective equipment or other hazard controls to use. They will also know how to handle the chemicals properly.

Key Takeaway: From here, it is evident that it is time to handle the SDS management smoothly complying with the modifications that it goes through, while absorbing the benefits that it offers. The above tips will help companies to meet the HazCom challenges in accordance with adapting to the GHS.

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