Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
Hazardous products can harm your health, the environment, or present the risk of a fire or explosion. The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 requires Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) to be available for most hazardous products, but there are some exceptions. If you are unsure if an SDS is needed for a product, speak to your manager or local staff safety specialist.
SDSs provide information on the hazards, safety precautions, and first aid measures for exposures. An SDS helps us understand the:
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Physical and chemical properties of the product,
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Possible unsafe reactions and possible health impacts,
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Required personal protective equipment and safe handling guidelines, and
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Response to emergencies, fire, and accidental release.
In the SHA, SDSs are available online at sha.canadasds.com. Anyone can access, review and/or print SDSs and workplace labels using this library.
When a new product is added, the appropriate SDS must be added to the online system. Additionally, when a product is no longer in use, it should be removed. Please reference the work standard below on how to add or remove an SDS from your department's chemical inventory.