HazChem – MSDS is now SDS
Under the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) has undergone significant change and is now called the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
The SDS is a document that provides information on the properties of hazardous chemicals and how they affect health and safety in the workplace.
For example an SDS includes information on: the identity of the chemical, health and physicochemical hazards, safe handling and storage procedures, emergency procedures, and disposal considerations.
In Australia the Work Health and Safety Regulations (WHS Regulations) require the manufacturer or importer of a hazardous chemical to prepare an SDS for the chemical. Additionally, a supplier must provide the manufacturer or supplier’s current SDS for the hazardous chemical on first supply to a workplace and upon request.
Safe Work Australia’s Code of Practice for the Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals provides detailed guidance on how to prepare a SDS for workplace chemicals. This code of practice should be used where the chemical has been classified according to the GHS.
Manufacturers and importers of chemicals are able to continue to use the existing MSDS arrangements for workplace hazardous substances and dangerous goods up until 31 December 2016. This applies for chemicals which have been classified according to the Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances and the ADG Code.
Manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals have duties under the WHS Regulation (Section 330) to provide current information about the hazardous chemical in the form of an SDS.
Under section 339, a supplier must provide the current SDS to any person, if the person is likely to be affected by the chemical or asks for the SDS.
A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) may change an SDS for a hazardous chemical only if the person is an importer or manufacturer and changes the SDS in a way that is consistent with the duties of the importer or manufacturer, or the change is to attach a translation of the SDS and clearly states that the translation is not part of the original SDS.
An SDS must be reviewed periodically to keep it up to date, for example when any new or significant information becomes available on the hazards of the material. Otherwise, a SDS must be reviewed and re-issued every 5 years.
SDS do not need to be formally approved. However, the relevant authority in each State and Territory is responsible for enforcing compliance with the WHS Regulations. You should therefore contact the work health and safety authority in your jurisdiction for advice on whether your SDS is compliant with the WHS Regulations.
An SDS must be reviewed periodically to keep it up to date, for example when any new or significant information becomes available on the hazards of the material. Otherwise, a SDS must be reviewed and re-issued every 5 years.
USEFUL LINKS:
Code of Practice for the preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals
