Section 2 | Safety Data Sheet Compliance Tool (2024)

FAQs

What is in Section 2 of a Safety Data Sheet? ›

Section 2, Hazard(s) identification includes all hazards regarding the chemical; required label elements. includes information on chemical ingredients; trade secret claims. Section 4, First-aid measures includes important symp- toms/effects, acute, delayed; required treatment.

SDS Section #2 Hazard Identification

SDS section 2 alerts you to potential hazards related to the chemical on that specific SDS. Hazard categorization, signal words, hazard statements, pictograms, warnings, and descriptions of unclassified hazards are all required pieces of information.

There are only two words used as signal words, “Danger” and “Warning.” Within a specific hazard class, “Danger” is used for the more severe hazards and “Warning” is used for the less severe hazards.

If no relevant information is found for any given subheading within a section, the SDS shall clearly indicate that no applicable information is available. Sections 12-15 may be included in the SDS, but are not mandatory.

Section 2: Hazard Identification

It will contain the GHS hazard pictogram(s) along with the hazard and precautionary statements relating to the types of hazards, safe handling, storage and disposal. If a product is not hazardous, this section will not contain any hazard information.

The CLP Regulation introduce several different classification hazards under the groups; physical, health and environmental. These hazards can range from acute toxicity to environmental hazards to skin sensitisation.

Signal words are used to indicate the level of severity of hazard. There are only two signal words – “DANGER” and “WARNING.” Within a specific hazard class, “DANGER” is used for the more severe hazards and “WARNING” for the less severe hazards.

Signal word — one of just two words used to alert you to a potential hazard and to state the severity of the hazard. (“Danger” is used for high- risk hazards, while “Warning” is used for less severe hazards.)

If a signal word is assigned to a hazard class and category, it must be shown on the label, and listed in section 2 (Hazards Identification) of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

The SDS includes information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical.

What are 5 key things that an SDS tells you? ›

SDSs tell users what the hazards of the product are, how to use the product safely, what to expect if the recommendations are not followed, how to recognize symptoms of exposure, and what to do if emergencies occur.

Anything lacking physical and health hazards is not hazardous and, therefore, does not require an SDS. Note: many dusts, including flour and hardwood dusts, have physical and/or health hazards and would require an SDS.

In essence Section 2 covers the safety of the product (which might be a mixture of ingredients) as used and Section 16 will mention all of the components which may not pose a risk as they are in small concentration but it might be useful to know depending on what for or how you are using the product.

Section 2 will summarize the hazards related to the product, precautions to take, and what to do in an emergency.