While Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) assessments are both necessary for assessing the risks involved in dealing with hazardous substances in the workplace, some in the industry may be confused about the difference between the two.
Whether you are a retailer, chemical distributor, or manufacturer; understanding the difference between Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and COSHH is essential for ensuring your employees’ safety. In this article, we discuss the key differences between the two along with the importance of employers ensuring worker safety when chemicals must be handled.
Under UK REACH, suppliers must provide an up-to-date Safety Data Sheet for hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use. SDS may also be required for some products that are not classified as hazardous but contain certain hazardous substances.
A SDS provides in-depth and detailed information than is on the product label. It describes the hazards associated with a certain chemical product and provides information on how to handle and store the product. Additionally, it also lists emergency measures that should be taken in case of any accidents or spills in the workplace.
Whilst the information contained on an SDS may seem complex for day to day work, they have important uses. They are a vital source of information for employers when they conduct risk assessments for any hazardous substances in their workplace.
In addition, if you were accidentally exposed to a hazardous substance and needed to run to the A&E, it’s vital to bring Safety Data Sheets for that substance along with you. This will provide doctors with key information they need to know when treating you.
COSHH assessments are risk assessments for hazardous substances used or produced in the workplace, including chemicals, dusts, fumes, vapours, mists, gases and biological agents.
COSHH regulations requires employers to assess the risks from hazardous substances used, handled, stored, produced or otherwise encountered at work, including arrangements for accidents, incidents, emergencies, storage and disposal. Failure to do so is a breach of health and safety law.
A COSHH risk assessment identifies health risks from hazardous substances used or generated by work activities and sets out the control measures, emergency arrangements, storage, handling and disposal requirements needed to protect workers.
Where an SDS is more technical, a COSHH assessment provides workers with practical information that they need to do their jobs safely.
No. A safety data sheet (SDS) cannot substitute a COSHH risk assessment alone. It is merely a resource that a health and safety professional can use when conducting a COSHH risk assessment.
Safety data sheets contain crucial information about working with hazardous substances such as disposal requirements, exposure control measures and first aid requirements. In an ideal setting, a health and safety professional uses this sheet to understand the facts required to prevent and control exposure to a product’s hazards.
Explaining the difference between Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and COSHH assessments is just one of the ways Human Focus can help your company with responsible chemical management.
Human Focus offers approved hazardous substances online training courses covering COSHH, chemical safety, asbestos, silica, lead, noise and respiratory risks. These courses enable employers to implement a robust chemical management system that ensures worker safety at all times.
