What is a safety data sheet?
A safety data sheet (SDS), previously called a material safety data sheet (MSDS), is a document that provides critical information about hazardous chemicals. For example, an SDS includes information on:
- the chemical’s identity and ingredients
- health and physical hazards
- safe handling and storage procedures
- emergency procedures
- disposal considerations.
An SDS is an important tool for assessing and managing the risks associated with the use of hazardous chemicals in workplaces.
SDS equirements are governed by both the Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 and the Work Health and Safety Act 2020, and the associated regulations, such as the Dangerous Goods Safety (Storage and Handling of Non-explosives) Regulations 2007.
Employer’s responsibilities
Employers, also known as a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) and operators of a site using or storing dangerous goods or hazardous chemicals must ensure that:
- they obtain an up-to-date SDS for each of these products
- their workers, contractors and emergency services personnel have access to SDS at all times
- the information in the SDS is used when conducting risk assessments and implementing control measures to manage hazards.
Manufacturers' and suppliers' responsibilities
Manufacturers and importers of dangerous goods and hazardous chemicals must:
- prepare an SDS for each of their products that are classified as a dangerous good and/or hazardous chemical
- give the current SDS to employers or occupiers of premises where the product is used or stored
- review and revise each SDS as often as necessary (at least every 5 years) to make sure that the information is accurate and up to date
Downstream suppliers of dangerous goods and hazardous chemicals must also give SDSs to buyers, which they can get from the manufacturer or importer. This does not apply to suppliers who are retailers (for example, hardware stores).
Suppliers must also provide any available information in addition to the SDS that is relevant to the safe storage and handling of the dangerous goods. The chemical identity of an ingredient must also be provided to a medical practitioner upon request if it is not disclosed on the SDS or label and is needed to assist with patient care.
Requirements of a compliant SDS
A safety data sheet must:
- be in English
- contain unit measures expressed in Australian legal units of measurement under the National Measurement Act 1960 (Cth)
- state the date it was last reviewed, or if it has not been reviewed, the date it was prepared
- state the name, Australian address and business telephone number of the manufacturer or the importer
- state an Australian telephone number which is available outside business hours from which information about the chemical can be obtained in an emergency.
Chemicals that do not require a safety data sheet
Preparing and providing an SDS is mandatory where a substance, mixture or article is a hazardous chemical or dangerous good. However, the WHS Regulations do not require an SDS to be prepared for hazardous chemicals in the following circumstances:
- chemicals in batteries while they are incorporated in plant
- fuel, oils or coolants in a container that is fitted to a vehicle, vessel or aircraft, mobile plant, appliance or other device, where the fuel, oils or coolants are intended for use in its operation
- fuel in the fuel container of a domestic or portable fuel burning appliance where the quantity of fuel does not exceed 25 kg or 25 litres
- hazardous chemicals in portable firefighting or medical equipment for use at a workplace
- hazardous chemicals that form part of the integrated refrigeration system of refrigerated freight containers
- potable liquids that are consumer products at retail premises.
The following things do not require an SDS:
- food and beverages within the meaning of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code that are in a package and form intended for human consumption
- therapeutic goods within the meaning of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 at the point of intentional intake by or administration to humans
- veterinary chemical products within the meaning of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 at the point of administration to animals
- tobacco or products made of tobacco.
Note: that the exemptions described above only apply in the circumstances described. For example, the exemption for therapeutic goods and veterinary chemical products only applies at the point of intentional intake or administration. SDS are required for these products at all other times, such as when they are being stored at a pharmacy or veterinary clinic.