Step One:
Look at Section 2 of your Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Section 2 identifies the hazards of the chemical and the appropriate warning information associated with those hazards. In Section 2 of an SDS you will find the following information:
- GHS Classification(s)
- Example: Flammable Liquid (Category 2)
- Example: Skin Corrosion (Category 1A)
- Example: Serious Eye Damage (Category 1)
- Target Organs (if any)
- GHS Label Elements
- Signal Word
- Pictogram(s)
- Hazard Statement(s)
- Example: Flammable liquid and vapor.
- Example: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- Precautionary Statement(s)
- Example: Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces – No smoking.
- Example: Wear protective gloves/ protective clothing/ eye protection.
- Description of any Hazards Not Otherwise Classified (e.g., Lachrymator)
- For a mixture that contains an ingredient(s) with unknown toxicity, a statement describing how much (percentage) of the mixture consists of ingredient(s) with unknown acute toxicity. Please note that this is a total percentage of the mixture and not tied to the individual ingredient(s).
Step Two:
Look at Section 7 (Handling & Storage) and Section 8 (Exposure Controls & PPE) of your Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
- Read these Sections carefully and thoroughly.
- Do not use or handle the chemical if you do not understand Sections 7 and 8.
- Knowing how a substance must be handled and stored, and also knowing the proper PPE and Exposure Limits, will provide with a good understanding of how hazardous a substance is.