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Laboratory Operations

Safety Data Sheets

Let’s venture out of the world of biological hazards for a moment and into the chemical closet. The modern clinical laboratory is a complex chemistry workshop. We work with everything from simple buffers and alcohols to potent acids, bases, solvents, and dyes. While we often think of bloodborne pathogens as the primary danger, chemical hazards can be just as acute and immediate. How do we know if the liquid in that bottle is flammable, corrosive, or toxic? How do we know how to clean it up if it spills or what to do if we get it in our eyes?

The answer lies in one of the most important safety documents in our entire arsenal: the Safety Data Sheet, or SDS. Think of an SDS as the universal “user’s manual” for a chemical. It’s a detailed, standardized document prepared by the chemical’s manufacturer that provides comprehensive information on its identity, its hazards, and the safety precautions for handling it. This isn’t just a good idea—it is a cornerstone of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom), often called the “Right-to-Know” law. You have a fundamental right to know about the chemicals you work with and how to protect yourself, and the SDS is the primary tool for fulfilling that right

Anatomy of an SDS: A Universal Language

Years ago, these documents were called Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and they came in all sorts of different formats, which was confusing. Today, thanks to the adoption of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), every SDS follows the same strict, 16-section format. This standardization means that no matter who manufactures the chemical or what country it comes from, you will always find the same information in the same place. It’s a universal language of chemical safety

While all 16 sections are important, as an entry-level MLS, you must know where to find the critical, life-saving information in a hurry. Here are the “must-read” sections:

  • Section 2: Hazards Identification: This is the most important section for a quick risk assessment. It is the executive summary of what can go wrong. It will contain:
    • Hazard Pictograms: These are simple, bold, graphic images (e.g., a flame, a skull and crossbones, an exploding bomb) that provide an immediate visual warning of the chemical’s hazards
    • Signal Word: Either “Danger” (for more severe hazards) or “Warning” (for less severe hazards)
    • Hazard Statements: Simple, clear statements describing the nature of the hazard (e.g., “Causes severe skin burns and eye damage,” “Highly flammable liquid and vapor”)
  • Section 4: First-Aid Measures: What to do if the worst happens. This section gives specific instructions for what to do following exposure via inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, or ingestion
  • Section 6: Accidental Release Measures: The “how-to” guide for cleaning up a spill. It details the personal protective equipment to wear, the proper containment procedures, and the appropriate materials to use for cleanup (e.g., a chemical spill kit)
  • Section 7: Handling and Storage: The daily rules for living with the chemical. It describes safe handling practices and specifies storage requirements, such as “Store in a well-ventilated place” or “Keep away from heat and open flames.”
  • Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This section tells you what armor to wear. It specifies the engineering controls (like a fume hood) and the exact PPE (e.g., nitrile gloves, splash goggles, chemical-resistant apron) required to handle the chemical safely

From Binder to Benchtop: How We Use SDSs

An SDS is useless if you can’t find it. OSHA mandates that SDSs for every hazardous chemical in the workplace must be readily accessible to employees during their work shifts. You should never have to ask permission or search a locked office to get an SDS

In practice, this is achieved in one of two ways:

  1. Physical Binders: The classic method. Large, clearly labeled binders containing printed copies of the SDSs are kept in the laboratory work area
  2. Electronic Systems: Increasingly common. The SDSs are stored on a computer database, accessible through any workstation in the lab. This is often faster and easier to keep updated

When should you consult an SDS?

  • Before using a new chemical for the first time. This is your responsibility. Take a few minutes to read through the key sections so you understand what you are working with
  • When a spill or other accident occurs. The SDS is your primary guide for a safe and effective emergency response
  • When planning a new procedure or if you have any questions about how to handle or store a chemical properly

The lab’s management is responsible for compiling the SDS library and providing training on the HazCom standard. However, personal safety is also a personal responsibility. Learning to quickly access and interpret an SDS is not just a regulatory chore; it is a critical skill that empowers you to take control of your own safety in the chemical landscape of the laboratory

Key Terms

  • Safety Data Sheet (SDS): A standardized, 16-section document prepared by a chemical manufacturer that details the identity, hazards, and safe handling procedures for a substance
  • OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom): The OSHA regulation, also known as the “Right-to-Know” law, that requires employers to identify chemical hazards in the workplace and communicate them to employees
  • GHS (Globally Harmonized System): An international standard for classifying chemical hazards and communicating them through a common format of labels and Safety Data Sheets
  • Pictogram: A symbol on a chemical label or SDS that provides a quick, visual warning of a specific hazard type (e.g., flammability, corrosivity)
  • Signal Word: A word—either “Danger” or “Warning”—used on a chemical label to indicate the relative severity of the hazard
  • Readily Accessible: The OSHA requirement that an employee must be able to obtain an SDS for any hazardous chemical in their workplace without delay and without needing to ask a supervisor
  • Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP): A laboratory’s overall written program for protecting employees from chemical hazards, which includes procedures, policies, and responsibilities, with the use of SDSs being a key component