Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are documents that describe the physical and health hazards of chemicals or chemical-containing products and and must be readily accessible to employees during all work shifts when these products are present in the work environment. An SDS search tool is available in SciShield under the Research Tools menu.

SDSs can be printed, indexed and stored in binders and/or as labeled electronic files on a computer/server. The index must be updated whenever a chemical product is added to or deleted from the inventory. The file should be checked annually to verify that all SDSs are present and legible.

Workers must be trained and able to demonstrate that they can successfully obtain an SDSs, regardless of whether they use SciShield or a paper system. RLS recommends that labs retain printed SDSs for highly hazardous materials and materials used on a daily or weekly basis.

If electronic access has been lost and you need immediate access to an SDS outside of regular business work hours, contact RLS to assist with the request.

What is the difference between a MSDS and SDS?

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is generated in accordance with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The SDS format is new and replaces the MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) format.

SDSs for Infectious Materials