Safety Data Sheets

In order to ensure chemical safety in the workplace, information must be available about the identities and hazards of the chemicals. OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard requires the development and dissemination of such information.  Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and prepare labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) to convey the hazard information to their downstream customers.

All employers who have hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must ensure that containers are properly labeled, and they must have SDSs available to the employees who work with the products. Employers must also train their exposed workers on how to identify hazards in the workplace, how to read labels and SDSs, and how to handle the chemicals appropriately.

Providence College complies with this OSHA standard by training employees and maintaining Safety Data Sheets in the department in which they are used, such as the Sciences, the Arts, and Power Plant. Safety Data Sheets are made available to all those who want or require additional information regarding chemicals in the workplace. If you have any questions about a chemical in your workplace, see your direct supervisor or contact the Office of Environmental, Health and Safety. You can also find most Safety Data Sheets on the internet, just by using any reliable search engine.