SDS Section 4 (Tab "4.1 First Aid)
Quick start
In this section you provide basic instructions for a responder with no specific training, who provides initial care to someone exposed to the product.
Þ Fields and other items that are “required” — recommended to generate a substantially complete SDS — have burgundy titles or applicability notes on the entry form.[1]
1. General advice (optional, recommended) — Enter the general first aid information relevant to the product.
2. The remaining fields should contain either relevant information or the phrase “No data available” (use the [N]o data button):
· If inhaled — Provide first aid instructions relevant to inhalation.
· In case of skin contact — Provide first aid information relevant to skin contact.
· In case of eye contact — Provide first aid information relevant to eye contact.
3. If information should be provided to a medical professional for any of these fields, place it under a subheading such as “Note to physician”, “Note to EMTs”, etc.
4. Next, click on the “4.2 First Aid” tab (additional tab for the first aid section).
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· To learn additional details and requirements, including guidance from regulatory agencies (US-OSHA, UN, EU, and Health Canada) read the details section, below.
SDS Section 4 (Tab "4.1 First aid") – details
Contents
I. Features of this section / tab
A4.3.4 SECTION 4: First-aid measures
A4.3.4.1 Description of necessary first-aid measures
A4.3.4.1.2 Provide advice whether:
A4.3.4.2 Most important symptoms/effects, acute and delayed
A4.3.4.3 Indication of immediate medical attention and special treatment needed, if necessary
4.1 Description of first aid measures
4.1.2 Advice shall be provided as to whether:
4.2 Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed
4.3 Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed
I. Features of this section / tab
Entry areas (fields)
Tab “4.1 First Aid”
Refer to the field descriptions in the Quick Start section, above.
NOTE: The regulatory guidance that follows appears on both First aid tabs (“4.1 First aid” and “4.2 First aid”).
II. OSHA guidance
From: “OSHA Brief: Hazard Communication Standard: Safety Data Sheets”, https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3514.html.
This section describes the initial care that should be given by untrained responders to an individual who has been exposed to the chemical. The required information consists of:
· Necessary first-aid instructions by relevant routes of exposure (inhalation, skin and eye contact, and ingestion).
· Description of the most important symptoms or effects, and any symptoms that are acute or delayed.
· Recommendations for immediate medical care and special treatment needed, when necessary.
III. UN guidance
From: United Nations (2017). Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), Seventh Revised Edition. https://unece.org/ghs-rev7-2017. United Nations. Reprinted with permission.
A4.3.4 SECTION 4: First-aid measures
This section describes the initial care that can be given by an untrained responder without the use of sophisticated equipment and without a wide selection of medications available. If medical attention is required, the instructions should state this, including its urgency. It may be useful to provide information on the immediate effects, by route of exposure, and indicate the immediate treatment, followed by possible delayed effects with specific medical surveillance required.
A4.3.4.1 Description of necessary first-aid measures
A4.3.4.1.1 Provide first-aid instructions by relevant routes of exposure. Use sub-headings to indicate the procedure for each route (e.g. inhalation, skin, eye and ingestion). Describe expected immediate and delayed symptoms.
A4.3.4.1.2 Provide advice whether:
(a) immediate medical attention is required and if delayed effects can be expected after exposure;
(b) movement of the exposed individual from the area to fresh air is recommended;
(c) removal and handling of clothing and shoes from the individual is recommended; and
(d) personal protective equipment (PPE) for first-aid responders is recommended.
A4.3.4.2 Most important symptoms/effects, acute and delayed
Provide information on the most important symptoms/effects, acute and delayed, from exposure.
A4.3.4.3 Indication of immediate medical attention and special treatment needed, if necessary
Where appropriate, provide information on clinical testing and medical monitoring for delayed effects, specific details on antidotes (where they are known) and contraindications.
IV. European Union guidance
From: "COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2020/878 of 18 June 2020, amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)”. Official Journal of the European Union, 26.6.2020.
SECTION 4: First aid measures
This section of the safety data sheet shall describe the initial care in such a way that an untrained responder can understand and provide it without the use of sophisticated equipment and without the availability of a wide selection of medications. If medical attention is required, the instructions shall state this, including its urgency.
4.1 Description of first aid measures
4.1.1 First aid instructions shall be provided by relevant routes of exposure. Subdivisions shall be used to indicate the procedure for each route, such as inhalation, skin, eye and ingestion.
4.1.2 Advice shall be provided as to whether:
(a) immediate medical attention is required and if delayed effects can be expected after exposure;
(b) movement of the exposed individual from the area to fresh air is recommended;
(c) removal and handling of clothing and shoes from the individual is recommended; and
(d) personal protective equipment for first aid responders is recommended.
4.2 Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed
Briefly summarised information shall be provided on the most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed, from exposure.
4.3 Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed
Where appropriate, information shall be provided on clinical testing and medical monitoring for delayed effects, specific details on antidotes (where they are known) and contraindications.
For some substances or mixtures, it may be important to emphasize that special means to provide specific and immediate treatment shall be available at the workplace.
V. Health Canada guidance
From: "Technical Guidance on the Requirements of the Hazardous Products Act and the Hazardous Products Regulations, WHMIS 2015 Supplier Requirements", Cat.: H129-64/1-2016E-PDF. December 2016. ©2016, Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Health.
This section describes the initial care that should be given to an individual who has been exposed to the product.
The required information consists of:
· A description of necessary first aid measures, subdivided according to the different routes of exposure, i.e., inhalation, skin and eye contact, and ingestion
· A description of the most important symptoms and effects, whether acute or delayed
· An indication for immediate medical attention and special treatment needed, if necessary
[rev. 4.8.2021]
[1] Minimum SDS requirements vary with jurisdiction. In some cases, instead of a burgundy label, a field may include a note identifying particular jurisdiction(s) requiring it.
[2] This shortcut is equivalent to clicking on the Help button on the entry form, and selecting “Background for this section”.