Environmental Health and Safety

Schools are required to be able to provide Safety Data Sheets, or SDS, for every chemical being used or stored on the property. Anyone using a chemical may ask for this information.  The purpose is to make accurate safe handling and disposal readily available.

A Safety Data Sheet, SDS, is a detailed information bulletin prepared by the manufacturer of a material that describes its physical and chemical properties, physical and health hazards, routes of exposure, precautions for safe handling and use, emergency and first-aid procedures, control measures, and disposal methods. This information in the selection of safe products and helps prepare employers and employees to respond effectively to daily exposure situations as well as to emergency situations.

What Information is on a SDS?

• Product or chemical identity used on the label.
• Manufacturer's name and address
• Chemical names and concentration of each ingredient.
• Name, address, and phone number for hazard and emergency information.
• Preparation or revision date.
• The material's physical and chemical characteristics, such as vapor pressure and flash point.
• Physical hazards for fire, explosion, and reactivity.
• Health hazards, such as carcinogen or toxicity, as well as inhalation, eye, and skin exposure risks.
• OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL), ACGIH threshold limit value (TLV) or other exposure limits.
• Emergency and first-aid procedures.
• Firefighting procedures
• Precautions for safe handling and use.
• Control measures required such as engineering controls, work practices, hygienic practices or personal protective equipment.
• Procedures for spills, leaks, and clean up.
• Storage and disposal information.