Online Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Links

The Office of Occupational and Environmental Safety maintains a file of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) sheets for LSU. Each laboratory or other location where chemicals are used by personnel is required to have SDS sheets accessible to people working with chemicals at all times. Our files are hard copy files and must be copied to be used. SDS sheets may be made available via computer. When you need an SDS that is not in your hard copy file, you may find the Internet a good resource:

Save the Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

If you receive a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) with a chemical shipment, please do not throw it away. That document is sent for several reasons and is more important than you may realize.

First, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that SDS's "shall be maintained and kept in a readily accessible area". That means that SDS's for the hazardous substances that you work with should be available and accessible to you. Any SDS's that you receive with shipments or that you receive separately should be placed in your SDS binder or file.

In addition to the compliance requirements, SDS's should be kept and maintained because they provide necessary, helpful, and useful information on the properties of the chemical or chemical product. You should familiarize yourself with those properties, such as flammability, corrosiveness, and toxicity, as well as storage and handling information, before you work with the chemical. Also, it is vital to your personal safety that you are able to refer to that SDS immediately in the event of an emergency such as a spill, fire, or physical contact with the chemical. So, the next time you receive an SDS, remember that it provides important and necessary health and safety information.