How to Read a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are an important requirement of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard. SDSs are essential documents that are used to inform employees, students and the general public about how materials can be safely handled, used and stored. Since Flinn provides chemicals only to schools, we have written Flinn SDSs specifically for teachers and their students. Using clear and straightforward language, each Flinn SDS provides all the relevant safety and hazard information in a consistent, useful and easy-to-read two-page format. Flinn SDSs follow the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The 16 sections are divided into four major areas, each designed to answer a specific question.