How to Read a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS)

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), now formally called a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), is a standardised document that provides detailed information about the hazards of a chemical product and how to handle it safely. South African law requires that an SDS accompany all hazardous chemical products. Under the GHS (Globally Harmonised System), SDSs have 16 standardised sections.

The 16 Sections of a GHS-Compliant SDS

Section 1 — Product and Company Identification

• •Product name, registration number, and manufacturer details
• •Emergency telephone number (for poisoning or spill incidents)

Section 2 — Hazard Identification

• •GHS hazard classification (e.g., Acute Toxicity Category 3)
• •Signal word (DANGER or WARNING)
• •Hazard statements (e.g., "Fatal if swallowed")
• •Precautionary statements (prevention, response, storage, disposal)
• •GHS hazard pictograms

Section 3 — Composition / Information on Ingredients

• •Active ingredients and their concentrations
• •CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) numbers

Section 4 — First Aid Measures

• •What to do in case of skin contact, eye contact, inhalation, or ingestion
• •Symptoms of poisoning
• •Whether immediate medical attention is required

Section 5 — Fire-Fighting Measures

• •Suitable and unsuitable extinguishing media
• •Special hazards (e.g., toxic combustion products)
• •Required PPE for fire-fighters

Section 6 — Accidental Release Measures

• •Personal precautions (PPE, evacuation)
• •Environmental precautions (prevent water contamination)
• •Containment and clean-up methods

Section 7 — Handling and Storage

• •Safe handling conditions
• •Storage requirements (temperature, humidity, compatibility)
• •Incompatible materials

Section 8 — Exposure Controls / Personal Protection

• •Occupational exposure limits (OEL)
• •Engineering controls (ventilation requirements)
• •Specific PPE requirements for this product

Section 9 — Physical and Chemical Properties

• •Appearance, odour, pH, boiling point, flammability, vapour pressure
• •Important for understanding hazard potential

Section 10 — Stability and Reactivity

• •Conditions to avoid; incompatible materials
• •Hazardous decomposition products

Section 11 — Toxicological Information

• •LD50 values (rat, oral, dermal); LC50 (inhalation)
• •Carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, sensitisation data

Section 12 — Ecological Information

• •Aquatic toxicity (LC50 to fish, daphnia, algae)
• •Persistence and degradability
• •Bioaccumulation potential

Section 13 — Disposal Considerations

• •How to dispose of product and empty containers safely

Section 14 — Transport Information

• •UN number, transport hazard class, packing group
• •Required for road, sea, or air transport documentation

Section 15 — Regulatory Information

• •Registration numbers; relevant legislation

Section 16 — Other Information

• •Date of last revision; references

Practical Tips

• •Always have the SDS available at the point of use and during transport
• •Know where Section 4 (First Aid) and Section 8 (PPE) are for quick reference
• •Check Section 12 before applying near water bodies
• •Your doctor needs Section 3 and 11 if someone is poisoned