A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provides basic information on a material or chemical product. It contains information on the properties and potential hazards of the material, how to use it safely, and what to do if there is an emergency. When you read an SDS, you should keep in mind that there are three main types of hazards which can be related to the use of a chemical product:
Additional information and advice about chemical products is available from a number of sources, including your supervisor, your health and safety committee, your company or union health and safety professional, the manufacturer, the supplier, the government body responsible for occupational health and safety in your jurisdiction, NIOSH (the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).