Helpful guidance on safety data sheets and CoSHH regulations

This guidance includes:

  1. What is an MSDS or SDS?
  2. Why do I need an MSDS/SDS?
  3. Why does CoSHH matter?
  4. What are hazardous substances?
  5. Where are hazardous substances found?
  6. What are the effects?
  7. What does CoSHH require?
  8. Useful link to HSE web site all about CoSHH regulations
  9. Watch our product video to see how simple compliance can be

 

What is an MSDS or SDS? [back to top]

MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet and is more recently referred to as simply SDS - Safety Data Sheet. You need a safety data sheet for each hazardous substance you use in your workplace so that you can carry out CoSHH risk assessments. All companies use hazardous substances, whether they are aware or not, and are required by law to have a safety data sheet for every single substance. As datasheets are updated from time to time, then the company is required to have the latest safety data sheet on file. Failure to do so puts your company at risk of no longer trading.

MSDS's are important in helping you, or anyone you supply, to make the workplace safe and to protect the environment. More specifically, a safety data sheet contains information to help you make a risk assessment as required by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (CoSHH). A safety data sheet contains 16 headings. The information included under these headings will help you to make sure that the product is used safely. For example, the safety data sheet should describe the hazards the chemical may present, provide information on how it should be handled, stored and disposed of and explain what should be done in the case of an accident, ie first aid, fire-fighting measures, and so on.

Your supplier is responsible for providing accurate safety data sheets with dangerous chemicals. The supplier might be the manufacturer, or an importer or distributor. Retailers do not have to supply safety data sheets to the general public. But if you buy a dangerous chemical from a retailer for use at work, the retailer must provide a safety data sheet if you ask for one. Retailers do not have to give you the safety data sheet with the product, provided they make arrangements to forward it promptly.

 

Why do I need an MSDS/SDS? [back to top]  

An Employer must make sure that all controlled products have an up-to-date MSDS when it enters the workplace. The MSDSs must be readily available to the workers who are exposed to the controlled product and to the health and safety committee or representative. If a controlled product is made in the workplace, the employer has a
duty to prepare an MSDS for any of these products.

CHIP, which stands for the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002 requires suppliers to identify the hazards (or dangers) of the chemicals they supply. This is called classification. If a chemical is classified as dangerous under CHIP, your supplier must provide you with information about the hazards that the chemical presents.

Some hazard information will be provided on labels, but an important requirement of CHIP is that your supplier must provide you with more detailed hazard information on a safety data sheet.

In general, you only have to provide safety data sheets with dangerous chemicals. However, an exception is made for some chemicals which are not classified as dangerous. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (section 6) requires suppliers to provide adequate information on the safe use of substances in the workplace.

If you need to know more about safety data sheets the Approved Code of Practice: The compilation of safety data sheets Third edition L130 HSE Books 2002 ISBN 0 7176 2371 8 is available from: HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk C010 2W A.

Tel: 01787 881 165, Fax: 01787 313 995, Website: www.hsebooks.co.uk

 

Why does CoSHH matter? [back to top]

Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work can put people’s health at risk, so the law requires employers to control exposure to hazardous substances to prevent ill health. They have to protect both employees and others who may be exposed by complying with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (CoSHH) (as amended).

CoSHH is a useful tool of good risk management which sets eight basic measures that employers, and sometimes employees, must take. These are set out in an advisory leaflet with a simple step-by-step approach which will help you to assess risks, implement any measures needed to control exposure and establish good working practices.

If you as an employer fail to adequately control hazardous substances, your employees or others may become ill. Effects from hazardous substances range from mild eye irritation to chronic lung disease or, on occasions, death. This may:


Useful Link: CoSHH: A brief guide to the Regulations

 

What are hazardous substances? [back to top]

Hazardous substances include:

 

Where are hazardous substances found? [back to top]

In nearly all work environments, for example:

 

What are their effects? [back to top]

Examples of the effects of hazardous substances include:

 

What does CoSHH require? [back to top]

To comply with CoSHH you need to follow these eight steps:

 

Step 1 - Assess the risks  

Assess the risks to health from hazardous substances used in or created by your workplace activities.

 

Step 2 - Decide what precautions are needed 

You must not carry out work which could expose your employees to hazardous substances without first considering the risks and the necessary precautions, and what what else you need to do to comply with CoSHH.

 

Step 3 - Prevent or adequately control exposure 

You must prevent your employees being exposed to hazardous substances.
Where preventing exposure is not reasonably practicable, then you must adequately control it. The advice in this leaflet, and in the other guidance it refers to, will help you to make correct assessments and to put the appropriate controls into place.

 

Step 4 - Ensure that control measures are used and maintained 

Ensure that control measures are used and maintained properly and that safety procedures are followed.

 

Step 5 - Monitor the exposure 

Monitor the exposure of employees to hazardoussubstances, if necessary.

 

Step 6 - Carry out appropriate health surveillance 

Carry out appropriate health surveillance where your assessment has shown this is necessary or where CoSHH sets specific requirements.

 

Step 7 - Prepare plans and procedures to deal with with accidents, incidents and emergencies 

Prepare plans and procedures to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies involving hazardous substances, where necessary.

 

Step 8 - Ensure employees are properly informed, trained and supervised [back to top]

You should provide your employees with suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training.

Did you know that we are the UK's leading authority on task based CoSHH risk assessment? We really know our stuff!