SDS Section 8 (Tab “8.1 Exposure-protection”)
Quick start
In this section/tab, you will work with occupational exposure limits (OELs), which are maximum safe levels for a worker exposed to the product and/or its chemical components. You will also specify engineering controls and personal protective measures, for minimizing worker exposure.
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]
Þ Ensure that you complete required text-entry areas, or enter “No data available” (you can use the [N]o data button). If you know a component has no exposure limits, enter "Not applicable (N/A)" or "None".
Þ For general guidance, refer to the Managing help box, below.
1. SDS exposure limits table — This table holds recommended and statutory occupational exposure limits (OELs), some of which may be present already from the components you selected on Tab "3 Composition".[2] You can also add:
· Other OELs.
· Recommended limits for biological monitoring parameters, such as biological limit values (BLVs) and biological guidance values (BGVs).
· Calculated parameters, such as derived no-effect levels (DNELs) for workers and predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs) for exposure in an ecosystem.
The table contents may be broader than what you ultimately incorporate into the SDS: Use the Omit column and related controls to determine which items appear on the generated SDS.
2. Add (optional) — Click on the Add button to enter additional OELs and other parameters into the table.
· When you know that the product, a product component, or another item (impurity/filler/stabilizer, etc.) has an exposure limit, and the chemical is not already listed in the exposure limits table; or
· If you want or need to supplement exposure limits for a chemical that is already listed.
When you click on the Add button, it displays a pop-up menu of existing chemical components, as well as the name of the SDS product itself. You can select one of these items, or instead select “Add new chemical”, to include an exposure limit for a by-product or other chemical that you haven't listed in the Component table.
"Add" button pop-up menu.
Include at least one exposure limit for each component that you have not marked as "Omit" on Tab "3 Composition".[3]
Each exposure limit should have, at a minimum:
· A chemical name in the "Chemical (click to re-order)" column; and
· A value with units of measure, in the Value column (e.g., "50 ppm").
If a component that should be listed has no exposure limits, enter "Not applicable (N/A)" or "None".[4] If you cannot find an exposure limit, enter "No data available".
3. Update (optional) — Click on the Update button (rotating arrows icon) to refresh exposure limits for the individual components, and for the product itself.[5]
You might decide to update if (1) you have no exposure limits currently listed; or (2) you think that some of the exposure limits for individual components may have changed, as might occur following an import of US OSHA Table Z-1 limits, Australia Safe Work limits, or recommendations or requirements from another agency or organization.
The Update button steps through the components in SDS Section 3, finding the exposure limits associated with their linked Substance records, if any. It compares those limits with the listed limits in this section, updating existing limits or creating new limits, as appropriate.
The button also flags limits in this section that are not associated with any Substance exposure limits. For example, you might have entered a derived no-effect level (DNEL) manually, using the Add button (above). For these rows you may want to back-update so that a corresponding record will be created in the Substances section.
Sample report after clicking on the Update button (partial).
4. Find more (optional) — To find additional exposure limits on the web, click on the Find more button (globe with magnifying glass icon, with an "OELs" label). The pop-up menu lists available web sites and resources for obtaining values (refer to web sites for exposure limits, below).
Requesting a web search for additional exposure limits.
Web search result.
5. Omit (column header, optional) — Click on the Omit column header and select “Omit if component omitted in Section 3” from the pop-up menu. With Omit boxes checked both in row(s) here and in the Component table on Tab "3 Composition", neither the component nor its exposure limits will appear on the generated SDS.
Clicking on the "Omit" column header.
You can also omit by:
· A specific chemical component. For example, selecting "Chem: Acetic acid" from the pop-up menu will check all Omit boxes for rows that feature acetic acid.
· A specific source. For example, selecting "Source: AU\SWA" from the pop-up menu will check all Omit boxes for any Safe Work Australia ["AU/SWA"] limits.
· Individual row, by checking the Omit box on that row.
6. Enter information for other areas, outside of the SDS exposure limits table.
Separate bio listings (BEI®, BGV, BLV)
Check this box to place recommended limit values for biological monitoring into a separate table on the generated SDS. The other table parameters will remain grouped together.[6]
Appropriate engineering controls
Indicate mechanical provisions for handling/use (e.g., ventilation, dust handling, containment, etc.).
Eye/face protection
Include safety glasses, safety goggles, face shield, etc., as appropriate.
Skin protection
Identify the type/thickness/breakthrough times (as necessary) of recommended gloves, boots, body suit, and/or other protective items. Optionally use subcategories for “Hands” and “Other".
7. Next, click on the “8.2 Exposure-protection” tab.
Managing help
· If this help window opened automatically when you started the program, then you have automatic help turned on. To change automatic help, click on the “Auto-help is” on/off pushbutton, on this window.
· When automatic help is off, you can display or refresh this help window manually, by using the [Ctrl]-9 shortcut (“Background for this section”).[7]
· To get an overview:
o Take the Brief tour on how the SDS entry form works:
§ Entering SDS content
§ Navigating the form
§ Shortcuts and convenience features
§ Translation features
§ Generating the SDS and GHS labels
§ To start the tour, click on the Help button and select “Brief tour”.
o Watch the video on this tab (click on the Video button, if the label is in blue text).
o Navigate to Tab "1 Identification" and view or refresh the background help. Read the section, “Features common to most SDS form sections/tabs”.
· For brief tips, hover with your mouse over the object of interest.
· To get assistance on a particular field: Click into the field, then click on the Help button, and select “Guide this item” (shortcut: [Ctrl]-5).
· To get stepwise assistance for all areas on this tab: Click on the Help button and select “Guide this section” (shortcut: [Ctrl]-6).
· To learn additional details and requirements, including guidance from regulatory agencies (US-OSHA, UN, EU, and Health Canada), read the details section, starting immediately below.
SDS Section 8 (Tab “8.1 Exposure-protection”) — details
I. Features specific to SDS Section 8 (Tab “8.1 Exposure-protection”)
Exposure limits table controls
Duplicate (button, overlapping squares icon)
Update (button with rotating arrows icon)
Find more (globe and magnifying glass icon button, with pop-up menu)
Other items (not in the Exposure limits table)
Separate bio listings (BEI®, BGV, BLV) (check box)
Appropriate engineering controls
A4.3.8 SECTION 8: Exposure controls/personal protection
A4.3.8.2 Appropriate engineering controls
A4.3.8.3 Individual protection measures, such as personal protective equipment (PPE)
SECTION 8: Exposure controls/personal protection
8.2.1. Appropriate engineering controls
8.2.2. Individual protection measures, such as personal protective equipment
8.2.3. Environmental exposure controls
I. Features specific to SDS Section 8 (Tab “8.1 Exposure-protection”)
Tab “8.1 Exposure-protection”
Exposure limits table
The SDS exposure limits table contains occupational exposure limits (OELs), such as permissible exposure levels (PELs), recommended exposure limits (RELs), Threshold Limit Values (TLV®s), Biological Exposure Indices (BEI®s)[8], region-specific exposure limits, and country-specific exposure limits. It can also contain biological limit values (BLVs) and biological guidance values (BGVs, used in EU/EEA jurisdictions).
Existing entries
Earlier, when you added product components individually on Tab "3 Composition", the program may have prompted you to "Add associated item(s) for this component?" If you added the items, there may already be exposure limits in this table.
Add associated items when adding a component to the product (Tab “3 Composition”, note the “Exposure level records” option). Refer to the background instructions on Tab 3 for additional details.
Adding exposure limits
When to add
There should be at least one entry in the SDS exposure limits table for each component listed on Tab “3 Composition”, except for those components you have excluded from the SDS by checking the “Omit” box.
If the product releases a by-product or intermediate that poses health risks, but that chemical item does not appear among the components, then consider including available OELs and/or biological limit values for that chemical. Also include exposure limits for the product itself, where available (the product name appears in the Add button pop-up menu).
Naming
A component listed in the SDS exposure limits table should exactly match the name used in the Component table on Tab "3 Composition". However, some chemicals may have multiple exposure limit listings under different names, where the names reflect differences in physical form or in a specific fraction of the chemical that is measured.
For example, "Marble - respirable fraction" and "Calcium carbonate - total dust" both share the same CAS number and appear in the same Substance record (Limestone).
To accommodate these naming differences, the SDS exposure limits table includes an additional column, "Other name/description", for the name originally associated with the measurement. However, you can edit this name as you wish. Provided that it is different from the name in the Chemical (click to reorder) column, the program will add this name inside brackets when it generates Section 8 of the SDS.
Distribution
If the same SDS is to be distributed to more than one country, then it should list exposure limits that are applicable for each country. However, the EU SDS guidance document (December 2020) suggests that the requirement to prioritize national exposure limits for the destination country may create the need to distribute separate SDSs for individual countries:
“This subsection should include currently applicable specific control parameters including occupational exposure limit (OEL) values and/or biological limit values. Values must be given for the Member State where the substance or mixture is placed on the market. While a supplier might find it practical to provide OELs for multiple Member States, there are national requirements, such as those in subsections 1.1, 1.4 and 15.1 as well as the national language requirement, meaning that the safety data sheet must be specific to a Member State.”
Exposure limits table columns
§ No. (display only) — Numeric order of appearance for the items in the table.
§ Omit — Check a box in this column if you do not want the associated row to appear on the generated SDS. You can also click on the Omit column header to display a pop-up menu with options to:
o Omit all exposure levels.
o Show all exposure levels.
o Omit for components omitted in Section 3.
o Omit for a specific chemical component (e.g., "Chem: Acetic acid").
o Omit for OELs from a specific source (e.g., "Source: NIOSH").
Omit column header, pop-up menu.
§ Chemical (click to re-order) — Name of the product or the component that is subject to the exposure limit. If you enter a different name or identifier, the program will search the Substances section for a matching chemical, and replace what you entered with the chemical name from that section.
Click on the header of this column to display a pop-up menu for re-ordering the rows by various parameters.
§ Other name/description — If an SDS exposure limit row here is associated (linked) to a row in an exposure limits table for a Substance ("Exposure-protection 1" tab), then this column will initially display the name as it appears at that location.
For example, in the Substance record for Sodium Borate Anhydrous, a limit on the Substance exposure limits table ("Exposure-protection 1" tab) describes the chemical as "Borates, tetra, sodium salts (anhydrous)". In copying over this limit to the SDS, the program places this description into the Other name/description column.
The column will be empty initially if there is no corresponding exposure limit in the Substances section of the program.
§ CAS number and EC number — These columns are for informational purposes only. If the CAS and EC numbers are available in the Substances section of the program, the program will enter them automatically when you link the row to a Substance record. If you enter or change the CAS and/or EC numbers manually, however, the program will not verify your edits, and won't update the linked Substance record.
§ Parameter — Click on the down arrow in the cell to select from the drop-down menu, or enter another parameter directly (e.g., "PEL", "REL", "STEL", “BEI® - blood”, etc.).
If the drop-down menu in the cell highlights the wrong parameter when you click on it: release the menu, and click again on the lower edge of the menu icon. If that approach doesn't work, try moving the horizontal scroll bar left and then right.
§ Exposure route — Select the route of exposure for the OEL or biological measurement ("Inhalation", "Dermal", "Food chain", etc.)
§ Value — Enter a numeric value for the measurement, plus units of measurement, e.g., "500 ppm". If a component that should be listed has no exposure limits, enter "Not applicable (N/A)" or "None". If you cannot find an exposure limit, enter "No data available".
§ Source — Enter the name of the regulatory or scientific authority (e.g., Cal/OSHA, NIOSH, US/OSHA, etc.). Selecting “EU/OSHA” causes the program to recognize it as a (European) Community occupational exposure limit.
§ Country — Abbreviation for the country or region of applicability for the exposure limit (e.g., "CA" for Canada, "EU" for European Union, "US", etc.).
§ Target (e.g., "Worker - acute effects systemic") for the Derived No Effect Level (DNEL), under EU REACH regulations. This column is only relevant to DNEL-type entries; leave it blank for other exposure limit types.
§ Basis and notes — Use this column to identify the source of the exposure limit, or describe protocols necessary to conduct monitoring/sampling (e.g., "NIOSH Handbook", "OSHA Table Z-1", etc.).
To place manual carriage returns within a particular cell, use the keystroke [Ctrl]-[Return]. This column also allows you to enter stock phrases when you click into the cell and then on the Stoc[k] button, at the bottom of entry form.
For EU/EEA states, the Basis and notes column should include:
o A reference to the regulatory requirement (e.g., “Restrictive statutory limit values” or “Indicative statutory limit values” for France).
o Recommended monitoring techniques (e.g., personal or room air monitoring, and the associated standard to be used).
§ Basis and notes (click to translate) — For the selected row, to convert the English-language Basis and notes column content into a non-English language (this column), click on the column header.
§ Other name/description (click to translate) — For the selected row, to convert the English-language Other name/description column into a non-English language (this column), click on the column header.
Contextual menu
When you right click on a row in the table, the pop-up (contextual) menu includes the following selections:
Contextual menu, from a right-click in the Exposure limits table.
§ “Add exposure limit”, “Duplicate exposure limit”, and “Delete exposure limit” — These selections perform the same functions as the Add button (“Add new chemical” option), the Duplicate button (overlapping squares icon), and the Delete button (trash can icon), respectively.
§ "Show linked Substance" — This item will display a Substance record associated ("linked") with the exposure limit row. The program may prompt you to save your work on the SDS before opening the Substance entry form.
§ “Back-update Substance from this row” — This item either (1) changes an existing exposure limit on the linked Substance record; or if none exists, (2) adds a new exposure limit for the linked Substance. Thus, if you have entered an SDS exposure limit manually into the table, you can also create a corresponding Substance exposure limit.
Exposure limits table controls
Add (button with pop-up menu)
Click to create an additional exposure limit for an existing component, for the product itself, or for some other chemical. The program creates a new row.
If you cannot find any exposure limits for a component that is not omitted on tab “3 Composition”, then:
o Select the component you want to add from the drop-down menu.
o Enter “No data available”
If you know that a component does not have any exposure limits, then:
o Select the component you want to add from the drop-down menu.
o Enter “Not applicable (N/A)” or "None".
Add a row to the Exposure limits table.
Duplicate (button, overlapping squares icon)
Highlight one row, and click on this button to create another row with the same information. Adjust the new row as required, to reflect a different OEL.
In this example, if you were distributing the product in Germany, you might create two rows, one for 8-hour exposure and one for short-term exposure. Use the Duplicate button to create a second row from the first, and then revise the second row for parameter and value.
Update (button with rotating arrows icon)
Click this button to refresh exposure limits for the individual components, and for the product itself. The program steps through the components in SDS Section 3, finding the exposure limits associated with their linked Substance records, if any. It compares those limits with the listed limits in this section, updating existing limits or creating new limits, as appropriate.
If you have an un-linked component (e.g., "New component" in the Component table), or the SDS product itself is not linked, then this function will not add exposure limits for that component and/or for the product.
In a confirmation dialog, the update also flags SDS exposure limits that are not associated with Substance exposure limits. For example, you might have entered a derived no-effect level (DNEL) manually, using the Add button. For these rows you may want to back-update so that a corresponding record will be created in the Substances section.
Find more (globe and magnifying glass icon button, with pop-up menu)
Click to select from a list of web sites offering exposure limits values[9]. Selecting a site should cause the program to open a web browser window to the selected web site. The program also places either the CAS number or the chemical name for the row last highlighted onto the clipboard, so that it's available to you in web site search boxes. The web sites in the menu are a subset of those that appear in the [R]esearch button menu, at the bottom of the entry form.
Pop-up menu, “Find more” button.
Some web sites that employ search as part of the URL may open with specific chemical information already displayed. Once on the web site, you can of course look for other chemicals, as well.
Web sites for exposure limits
Links to the following internet resources appear in the pop-up menu of the Find more button.
· ACGIH Data Hub — Presents an alphabetized list of chemicals for which ACGIH provides exposure limit values. These values are recommendations rather than legal limits, and are copyrighted; read the policy statement on the web site before using them.
· CAL/OSHA PELs — Displays Table AC-1, a text listing of California OSHA’s permissible exposure levels, including both 8-hour and ceiling values, in parts per million (ppm) and milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3).
· GESTIS international limits — Displays a search page for chemical name or CAS number. National exposure limits are available for approximately 24 countries, including the US and Canada.
GESTIS search result for sodium bisulfite.
· Google ‘exposure limits for’ — Performs a Google web search on chemical name only ("Exposure limits for <chemical name>"). Sometimes a Google search presents the primary result in a rectangle, above other web links.
· PubChem [NIH/NLM] — This site provides US-OSHA Permissible Exposure Levels (PELs), NIOSH Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH), and ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLV®s). The program can take you directly to Section 13.7 (Exposure Control and Personal Protection) for a chemical, making it particularly useful for finding OELs.
PubChem search result for Sodium bisulfite (partial)
· NIOSH Pocket Guide — Recommended Exposure Levels (RELs) and US-OSHA PELs.
· OSHA Occupational Chemical Database — Displays US-OSHA’s own searchable database of occupational chemicals. Includes OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs, ACGIH TLV®s, and CAL/OSHA PELs, as well as monitoring methods that the agency uses for measurement.
· OSHA Table Z-1 PELs — Displays the annotated version of Table Z-1, including US-OSHA PELs, California OSHA (Cal/OSHA) PELs, NIOSH RELs, and ACGIH TLV®s. Values other than US-OSHA PELs are listed only for chemicals that also have a US-OSHA PEL.
· OSHA Table Z-2 PELs — Displays US-OSHA PELs for toxic/hazardous substances.
· OSHA Table Z-3 PELs — Displays US-OSHA PELs for mineral dusts.
Other items (not in the Exposure limits table)
Separate bio listings (BEI®, BGV, BLV) (check box)
Check this box to place recommended limit values for biological monitoring into a separate table from OELs and other exposure limits, on the generated SDS. The other table parameters will remain grouped together. When the box is not checked, the biological monitoring limits will appear together with the OELs.
Appropriate engineering controls
Indicate whether engineering controls are needed for safe use of the product and, if so, what type of controls (exhaust ventilation, etc.). Refer to the discussion under UN guidance, below.
Eye/face protection
Select safety glasses, safety goggles, face shield, etc., depending on the product hazards and the potential for contact.
Skin protection
Specify the type of material and thickness of gloves, and the anticipated breakthrough times. Identify any other parts of the body that should be protected and suitable equipment/material choices (body suit, boots, etc. with material specification).
EU REACH regulations (Annex II, Item 8.2.2.2) call for the inclusion of “Hand protection” and “Other” subdivisions within the skin protection topic. If you include body protection information into the “Other” location, then do not complete the optional Body protection field, on the next tab, “8.2 Exposure-protection”.
II. OSHA Guidance
From: “OSHA Brief: Hazard Communication Standard: Safety Data Sheets”, https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3514.html.
This section indicates the exposure limits, engineering controls, and personal protective measures that can be used to minimize worker exposure. The required information consists of:
· OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLV®s), and any other exposure limit used or recommended by the chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer preparing the safety data sheet, where available.
· Appropriate engineering controls (e.g., use local exhaust ventilation, or use only in an enclosed system).
· Recommendations for personal protective measures to prevent illness or injury from exposure to chemicals, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g., appropriate types of eye, face, skin or respiratory protection needed based on hazards and potential exposure).
· Any special requirements for PPE, protective clothing or respirators (e.g., type of glove material, such as PVC or nitrile rubber gloves; and breakthrough time of the glove material).
III. UN guidance
From "Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)", 7th Ed., by Secretariat, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). ©2017, United Nations. Reprinted with the permission of the United Nations.
A4.3.8 SECTION 8: Exposure controls/personal protection
Within this guidance the term “occupational exposure limit(s)” refers to limits in the air of the workplace or biological limit values. In addition, for the purposes of this document “exposure control” means the full range of specific protection and prevention measures to be taken during use in order to minimize worker and environmental exposure. Engineering control measures that are needed to minimize exposure to, and risks associated with the hazards of, the substance or mixture should be included in this section.
A4.3.8.1 Control parameters
A4.3.8.1.1 Where available, list the occupational exposure limits (limits in the air of the workplace or biological limit values), including notations, for a substance and for each of the ingredients of a mixture. If air contaminants are formed when using the substance or mixture as intended available occupational exposure limits for these should also be listed. If an occupational exposure limit exists for the country or region in which the SDS is being supplied, this should be listed. The source of the occupational exposure limit should be stated on the SDS. When listing occupational exposure limits, use the chemical identity as specified in section 3 (Composition/Information on ingredients) of the SDS.
A4.3.8.1.2 Where available, list the biological limit values, including notations, for a substance and for each of the ingredients of a mixture. Where possible, the biological limit value should be relevant to the countries or regions in which the SDS is being supplied. The source of the biological limit value should be stated on the SDS. When listing biological limit values, use the chemical identity as specified in section 3 of the SDS.
A4.3.8.1.3 Where a control banding approach is recommended for providing protection in relation to specific uses then sufficient detail should be given to enable effective management of the risk. The context and limitations of the specific control banding recommendation should be made clear.
A4.3.8.2 Appropriate engineering controls
The description of appropriate exposure control measures should relate to the intended modes of use of the substance or mixture. Sufficient information should be provided to enable a proper risk assessment to be carried out. Indicate when special engineering controls are necessary, and specify which type. Examples include:
(a) “maintain air concentrations below occupational exposure standards”, using engineering controls if necessary;
(b) “use local exhaust ventilation when…”;
(c) “use only in an enclosed system”;
(d) “use only in spray paint booth or enclosure”;
(e) “use mechanical handling to reduce human contact with materials”; or
(f) “use explosive dust handling controls”.
The information provided here should complement that provided under section 7 (Handling and storage) of the SDS.
A4.3.8.3 Individual protection measures, such as personal protective equipment (PPE)
A4.3.8.3.1 Consistent with good occupational hygiene practices, personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used in conjunction with other control measures, including engineering controls, ventilation and isolation. See also section 5 (Fire- fighting measures) of the SDS for specific fire/chemical PPE advice.
A4.3.8.3.2 Identify the PPE needed to minimize the potential for illness or injury due to exposure from the substance or mixture, including:
a. Eye/face protection: specify the type of eye protection and/or face shield required, based on the hazard of the substance or mixture and potential for contact;
b. Skin protection: specify the protective equipment to be worn (e.g. type of gloves, boots, bodysuit) based on the hazards associated with the substance or mixture and the potential for contact;
c. Respiratory protection: specify appropriate types of respiratory protection based on the hazard and potential for exposure, including air-purifying respirators and the proper purifying element (cartridge or canister) or breathing apparatus; and
d. Thermal hazards: when specifying protective equipment to be worn for materials that represent a thermal hazard, special consideration should be given to the construction of the PPE.
A4.3.8.3.3 Special requirements may exist for gloves or other protective clothing to prevent skin, eye or lung exposure. Where relevant, this type of PPE should be clearly stated. For example, “PVC gloves” or “nitrile rubber gloves”, and thickness and breakthrough time of the glove material. Special requirements may exist for respirators.
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 8: Exposure controls/personal protection
This section of the safety data sheet shall describe the applicable occupational exposure limits and necessary risk management measures.
Where a chemical safety report is required, the information in this section of the safety data sheet shall be consistent with the information given for the identified uses in the chemical safety report and the exposure scenarios showing control of risk from the chemical safety report set out in the annex to the safety data sheet.
8.1 Control parameters
8.1.1. Where available, the following national limit values, including the legal basis of each of them, which are currently applicable in the Member State in which the safety data sheet is being provided shall be listed for the substance or for each of the substances in the mixture. When listing occupational exposure limit values, the chemical identity as specified in section 3 shall be used.
8.1.1.1. the national occupational exposure limit values that correspond to Union occupational exposure limit values in accordance with Directive 98/24/EC, including any notations as referred to in Article 2(3) of Commission Decision 2014/113/EU (5);
8.1.1.2. the national occupational exposure limit values that correspond to Union limit values in accordance with Directive 2004/37/EC, including any notations as referred to in Article 2(3) of Decision 2014/113/EU;
8.1.1.3. any other national occupational exposure limit values;
8.1.1.4. the national biological limit values that correspond to Union biological limit values in accordance with Directive 98/24/EC, including any notations as referred to in Article 2(3) of Decision 2014/113/EU;
8.1.1.5 any other national biological limit values.
8.1.2. Information on currently recommended monitoring procedures shall be provided at least for the most relevant substances.
8.1.3. If air contaminants are formed when using the substance or mixture as intended, applicable occupational exposure limit values and/or biological limit values for these shall also be listed.
8.1.4. Where a chemical safety report is required or where a DNEL as referred to in Section 1.4 of Annex I or a PNEC as referred to in Section 3.3 of Annex I is available, the relevant DNELs and PNECs for the substance shall be given for the exposure scenarios from the chemical safety report set out in the annex to the safety data sheet.
8.1.5. Where a control banding approach is used to decide on risk management measures in relation to specific uses, sufficient detail shall be given to enable effective management of the risk. The context and limitations of the specific control banding recommendation shall be made clear.
8.2 Exposure controls
The information required in the present subsection shall be provided, unless an exposure scenario containing that information is attached to the safety data sheet.
Where the supplier has waived a test under Section 3 of Annex XI, he shall indicate the specific conditions of use relied on to justify the waiving.
Where a substance has been registered as an isolated intermediate (on-site or transported), the supplier shall indicate that this safety data sheet is consistent with the specific conditions relied on to justify the registration in accordance with Article 17 or 18.
8.2.1. Appropriate engineering controls
The description of appropriate exposure control measures shall relate to the identified use(s) of the substance or mixture as referred to in subsection 1.2. This information shall be sufficient to enable the employer to carry out an assessment of risk to the safety and health of workers arising from the presence of the substance or mixture in accordance with Articles 4 to 6 of Directive 98/24/EC and Articles 3 to 5 of Directive 2004/37/EC, where appropriate.
This information shall complement that already given under Section 7.
8.2.2. Individual protection measures, such as personal protective equipment
8.2.2.1. The information on use of personal protective equipment shall be consistent with good occupational hygiene practices and in conjunction with other control measures, including engineering controls, ventilation and isolation. Where appropriate, Section 5 shall be referred to for specific fire/chemical personal protective equipment advice.
8.2.2.2. Taking into account Council Directive 89/686/EEC (1) and referring to the appropriate CEN standards, detailed specifications shall be given on which equipment will provide adequate and suitable protection, including:
(a) Eye/face protection
The type of eye/face protection equipment required shall be specified based on the hazard of the substance or mixture and potential for contact, such as safety glasses, safety goggles, face-shield.
(b) Skin protection
(i) Hand protection
The type of gloves to be worn when handling the substance or mixture shall be clearly specified based on the hazard of the substance or mixture and potential for contact and with regard to the amount and duration of dermal exposure, including:
— the type of material and its thickness,
— the typical or minimum breakthrough times of the glove material,
If necessary, any additional hand protection measures shall be indicated.
(ii) Other
If it is necessary to protect a part of the body other than the hands, the type and quality of protection equipment required shall be specified, such as gauntlets, boots, bodysuit based on the hazards associated with the substance or mixture and the potential for contact.
If necessary, any additional skin protection measures and specific hygiene measures shall be indicated.
(c) Respiratory protection
For gases, vapours, mist or dust, the type of protective equipment to be used shall be specified based on the hazard and potential for exposure, including air-purifying respirators, specifying the proper purifying element (cartridge or canister), the adequate particulate filters and the adequate masks, or self-contained breathing apparatus.
(d) Thermal hazards
When specifying protective equipment to be worn for materials that represent a thermal hazard, special consideration shall be given to the construction of the personal protective equipment.
8.2.3. Environmental exposure controls
The information required by the employer to fulfil his commitments under Union environmental protection legislation shall be specified.
Where a chemical safety report is required, a summary of the risk management measures that adequately control exposure of the environment to the substance shall be given for the exposure scenarios set out in the annex to the safety data sheet.
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 provides the occupational exposure limit values, biological limit values, information on engineering and/or administrative controls, and information on personal protective measures when using the hazardous product in order to minimize exposure. The required information consists of:
· Description of control parameters, including occupational exposure limit values or biological limit values and the source of those values
· Description of appropriate engineering controls (e.g., use local or general exhaust ventilation, use only in an enclosed system or limit workers’ exposure in exposure time, etc.)
· Description of personal protective measures to minimize exposure and prevent adverse effects from exposure, such as personal protective equipment to be worn by the worker (e.g., lab coat, appropriate types of eye, face, skin or respiratory protection needed based on hazards and potential exposure, and type of glove material)
[rev. 9.6.2023]
[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] If you checked the “Exposure level records” option on the “Add associated items…” dialog, (Tab “3 Composition”) then exposure limits may be listed already.
[3] A US-OSHA clarification letter states, "The lists of constituents in Sections 3 and 8 must be the same". The letter includes additives and impurities, but does not mention OELs for the product itself, or for by-products.
[4] If you have decided to list all components on the SDS, whether hazardous or not, then you may have some that will fall into the “Not applicable (N/A)” - “None” categories.
[5] An exposure limits update for the SDS product (as opposed to its individual components) occurs only when the product itself is linked to a Substance record which, in turn, has one or more associated exposure limits.
[6] Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs®) are copyright ©American Council of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), whose permission may be necessary prior to use of the values.
[7] This shortcut is equivalent to clicking on the Help button on the entry form, and selecting “Background for this section”.
[8] Threshold Limit Values (TLV®s) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEI®s) are copyright ©American Council of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), whose permission may be necessary prior to use of the values.
[9] Web sites tend to get updated frequently. Please let us know if you encounter any bad links.