The University of Winnipeg

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a document created or obtained by the supplier of the product. The SDS must be provided to the customer at the time of sale by a supplier. It provides more detailed information than the label about the hazardous product.

Information on the SDS is used by workers to protect themselves from hazards, for safe handling, use and storage, and for emergency measures. SDS must be prepared for any hazardous product that may be produced within the University of Winnipeg.

Find an SDS using the CCOHS Database here (Opens in a new window).

Keeping SDSs current:

According to Safe Work Manitoba WHMIS 2015 Information for Workers Guide: "Each current SDS must be available to the worker/student. Therefore, the area manager/laboratory supervisor must check the SDS with every shipment to see if there are changes because of the significant new data about the product. Significant new data will be noted on a written document included with the SDS or by a new revision date on the SDS. In these circumstances the old SDS will have to be replaced with the updated one. When any new data becomes available, SDSs must be updated as soon as practicable but not later than 90 days after the new hazard information becomes available.

The SDS must include the "initial Supplier Identifier" and "Date of Latest Revision." These details allow you to get more information from the supplier about the product if you need it, and help you know that you have the most recent SDS available."

Replaced SDSs must be returned to the Safety Office for retention as they must be kept for thirty (30) years.

Worker/student Access to SDSs:

  • Current SDSs must be available for every hazardous product within the University of Winnipeg.
  • The SDSs for all hazardous products within the University of Winnipeg must be kept in a visible place and easily accessible. If you do not know where they are kept, ask your supervisor/instructor.
  • Each area/laboratory where hazardous products are used or stored at the University of Winnipeg must have an SDS for every hazardous product present and must be readily available to workers by paper copy or a readily accessible electronic file. 

As a worker/student, what do you have to do:

  • Ensure you review the SDS of every chemical prior to using it. 
  • Read, understand, and follow the instructions on the SDS.

 

SDSs provide 16 pieces of information:

  1. Identification
  2. Hazard Identification
  3. Composition/information on ingredients
  4. First-aid measures
  5. Fire-fighting measures
  6. Accidental release measures
  7. Handling and storage
  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 (Date of the latest revision of the SDS)