Introduction
It is a requirement under the Work Health and Safety Regulation Act that Safety Data Sheets (SDS) must be compiled and displayed where hazardous substances are used or located in Clubhouses, Gear Sheds, First Aid Training Rooms, etc. (Refer to Section 18 – SDS Sheets)
Chapter 7 (Hazardous Chemicals) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation Act 2011 sets the requirement of an Employer to:
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What is a SDS? A SDS is a document prepared by the manufacturer of a hazardous substance. A SDS describes the properties and uses of a particular hazardous substance. There are details in the SDS on the identity of the substance, chemical and physical properties, health hazard information, and precautions for use and safe handling information.
Why do we need a SDS? There are tens of thousands of chemicals used in workplaces, ranging from hazardous fumes to cleaning agents. To assess the risks to health that these chemicals may pose we need information on the hazardous nature of the chemical substance. A SDS is designed to provide this information. Without a SDS the user could remain ignorant of the hazardous nature of the substance, how it could affect their health or safety and what to do in case of an emergency.
There is a legal obligation to obtain a SDS on or before the first supply of the hazardous substance. This SDS must be made readily available to all persons that use the substance or have reasonable need for requesting the information.
What SDS ares required?
Lifeguard Services are required to display the following Safety Data Sheets as a minimum:
- Regular Unleaded Petrol
- Medical Air (Oxygen)
- Outboard Oil
- Automotive Diesel Fuel (where applicable)
- Formaldehyde (where applicable)
- Microshield Handrub (where applicable)
- Liquid Bleach
- Sunscreen; and
- Any other chemical defined as hazardous by the NOHSC Standards.
SDS Information
Below is a guide to common information detailed in a SDS:
Product Name
- Name of Material (eg. Concrete, Premixed Concrete)
- Ingredients – What the material is made from
- Classification – Hazardous/Non-Hazardous according to NOHSC (National Occupational Health & Safety Commission)
- Synonyms* – Common Name/Similar products
- Appearance – What the material looks like
- Odour – What the material smells like
- Use – What the material is generally used for
- Supplier – Who supplies the material
Health Hazards
This section provides information on what the health hazards may be (e.g. if the material causes lung cancer). Health Hazards also provide information of hazards to eyes, inhalation, skin and ingestion.
Precautions
This section provides information on the Flammability (including explosion hazards), Reactivity (compatibility with other agents) and Ventilation (do not inhale fumes or ensure natural ventilation, etc.).
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
This section advises what PPE is required to be worn whilst using the material.
First Aid
First aid advice is provided if the material gets into the users eyes, if it is inhaled, touches the skin and/or ingested.
Safe Handling
Safe Storage, Waste Disposal and Transportation information is provided in this section.
Emergency
This section advises the best procedures for Spillage, Fire and Explosion and correct extinguishing (which fire extinguishers etc.).
Physical And Chemical Properties
Information captured in this section is: F lammability B oiling P oint, E xposure S tandard, pH, S pecific G ravity, V apour P ressure, L ower E xplosion L imit, F lash P oint, M elting P oint, E vaporation R ate,
%V olatiles, S olubility (water), and U pper E xplosion L imit
For further information on Safety Data Sheets and Hazardous Chemicals, please contact the SLSQ Operations Risk Manager.
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