705 Hazard Communication Program

SDS Management

Below are more important requirements for manufacturers, importers and distributors:

• Distributors should include safety data sheets (SDSs) with the initial shipment of chemicals to other distributors and employers, and with the first shipment after any SDS updates.
• Distributors can either attach SDSs to the shipped containers or send them to the recipient before or at the time of shipment.
• Retail distributors must give SDSs to employers with commercial accounts upon request and inform them where SDSs can be accessed.
• Wholesale distributors should provide SDSs to employers who buy hazardous chemicals over-the-counter if requested at the time of purchase, and they must inform employers that SDSs are available.
• If an employer without a commercial account buys a hazardous chemical from a retail distributor not required to keep SDSs, the distributor must provide the employer with the contact information of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or distributor to obtain an SDS.

• Prepare one SDS that applies to all similar mixtures where complex mixtures have similar hazards and contents (i.e. the chemical ingredients are essentially the same, but the specific composition varies from mixture to mixture).
• Ensure that the information recorded on the SDS accurately reflects the scientific evidence used in making the hazard classification.
• Add new information to the SDS within three months if the chemical manufacturer, importer or employer preparing the SDS becomes newly aware of any significant information regarding the hazards of a chemical, or ways to protect against the hazards.
• If the chemical is not currently being produced or imported, add any new information to the material SDS before the chemical is introduced into the workplace again.
• Provide an appropriate SDS with the initial shipment, with the first shipment after a SDS is updated, and as requested by the employer or distributor.
• Provide SDSs with the shipped containers or send the SDSs to the distributor or employer prior to or at the time of the shipment.

• Wholesale distributors must provide SDSs upon request to employers or other distributors.
• Chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors are not required to supply SDSs to retail distributors who do not sell to commercial accounts or use the chemicals themselves.

• Ensure that SDS, and updated information, are provided to other distributors and employers with their initial shipment and with the first shipment after a SDS is updated.
• Provide SDS with the shipped containers, or send them to the other distributor or employer prior to or at the time of the shipment.
• Retail distributors selling hazardous chemicals to employers having a commercial account must:
1. provide a SDS to such employers upon request, and
2. post a sign or otherwise inform them that a SDS is available.

If an employer without a commercial account purchases a hazardous chemical from a retail distributor not required to have SDS on file (i.e., the retail distributor does not have commercial accounts and does not use the materials), the retail distributor must provide the employer, upon request, with the name, address, and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or distributor from which a SDS can be obtained.

Chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors need not provide SDSs to retail distributors that have informed them that the retail distributor does not sell the product to commercial accounts or open the sealed container to use it in their own workplaces.

• Wholesale distributors selling hazardous chemicals to employers over-the-counter must:
1. provide a SDS upon the request of the employer at the time of the over-the-counter purchase, and
2. post a sign or otherwise inform such employers that a SDS is available.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.