UNIVERSITY PROCEDURE
USE AND MANAGEMENT OF SAFETY DATA SHEETS
Document No
CU/13/SDS/Pr/1.0
Area Applicable
All Cardiff University
Approved by
Director of OSHEU
Review Year
2016
Document History
Author(s)
Mike Turner
Consultation process
Revision
Number
Date

January 2013
OSHEU
Amendment
Name
Approved by
USE AND MANAGEMENT OF SAFETY DATA SHEETS
I.
PURPOSE:
The hazards associated with substances can change in line with new
information and this will be reflected in the guidance issued under Registration,
Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of Chemicals regulation (REACH) for
each substance; this information is contained within the substance Safety, Data
Sheet (SDS). It is essential, therefore, that the University has a system for
accessing relevant, up to date information regarding the hazards, use,
emergency preparedness and storage of substances. In line with the
requirements of Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, Control
of Substances Harmful to Health Regulations and Dangerous Substances and
Explosive Atmosphere Regulations.
II.
SCOPE :
This should be considered as the minimum standard which is expected by the
University in relation to the management and use of Safety Data Sheets.
III.
RESPONSIBILITY:
It is the responsibility of the line manager / supervisor to ensure that personnel
have sufficient relevant information to safely use and manage a substance. This
is includes its safe handling, emergency preparedness and storage.
IV.
PROCEDURE:
The link between the risk assessment for using a substance and the relevant
SDS is critical as it is the information in the SDS which informs the risk
assessment.
The safety data sheet must be dated and contain information under the
following headings:
1. Identification of the substance/mixture and of the company/undertaking;
2. Hazards identification;
3. Composition/information on ingredients;
4. First-aid measures;
5. Fire-fighting measures;
6. Accidental release measures;
7. Handling and storage;
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8. Exposure controls/personal protection;
9. Physical and chemical properties;
10. Stability and reactivity;
11. Toxicological information;
12. Ecological information;
13. Disposal considerations;
14. Transport information;
15. Regulatory information;
16. Other information.
(Ref: http://www.hse.gov.uk/reach/resources/reachsds.pdf)
The SDS for a substance should be provided free-of-charge, on paper or
electronically, e.g. by postal delivery, fax or email and although there is no
statutory review period for revising a SDS it will be updated when:
• As soon as new hazard information or information that may affect the risk
management measures becomes available; or
• When a substance or mixture is classified according to the CLP Regulation
(see Additional Information)
• Once an authorisation under REACH is granted or refused; or
(see Additional Information)
• Once a restriction under REACH has been imposed.
When a SDS is updated, the new dated version of the SDS, identified as
‘Revision: date’, shall be supplied to all users (of the substance/mixture in
question) from the preceding 12 months.
Therefore, the expectation is that Schools and Professional Services have
systems for ensuring that up to date safety data sheets are maintained and
distributed to the relevant staff in order that they can carry a suitable and
sufficient risk assessment with corresponding control measures
V.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
CLP Regulation
http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/detail/coshh-clp-reach.htm
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Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l21.pdf
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/basics.htm
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulation
http://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/dsear-background.htm
Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of Chemicals regulation
(REACH)
http://www.hse.gov.uk/reach/about.htm
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