Safety Data Sheets

The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard requires that all employees be provided with information about hazardous chemicals that they use or may be exposed to in the workplace. The primary information tool for this is the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), a document that suppliers of any hazardous chemical must provide to users, that describes the hazardous properties of the chemical(s) and appropriate risk reduction techniques.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) must be readily accessible in employees’ work areas. This requirement can be met by keeping a complete set of SDSs in every laboratory or work space to provide rapid access. Alternatively, OSHA has stated that online resources may be used as an alternative to storing hard copies provided that a computer is accessible in the work area. In a browser’s search page enter ‘chemical name’ + ‘sds’ + ‘manufacturer’ (if known).

Laboratories and offices where online access is available may choose this option to replace supplemental hard copy SDSs. Mechanical spaces and other work areas where computers and internet access cannot be assumed to be always available must continue to maintain hard copies of SDSs.

To find SDSs online, open a browser and key in ‘chemical name’ + ‘sds’. SDSs and other chemical information for many products can also be found at the websites listed below.

All Hunter College departments must ensure that they maintain copies of SDSs for all hazardous materials used in their areas either electronically or in hard copies and they must be readily available to all employees. The manufacturer must provide an SDS when requested. If you cannot obtain an SDS from the manufacturer, please contact EHS.