Updated January 22, 2025
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are documents that describe the physical and health hazards of chemicals or chemical-containing products and must be readily accessible to employees during all work shifts when these products are present in the work environment.
EH&S maintains a centralized library of SDSs in the online MyChem database for your use. SDSs are added to the central collection as employees inventory their chemicals in MyChem.
SDSs are accessible in MyChem to anyone with a UWNetID. Users with established inventory accounts can view SDSs from their inventory.
SDSs can be printed, indexed and stored in binders. The index must be updated whenever a chemical product is added to or deleted from the inventory. The file should be checked annually to verify that all SDSs are present and legible.
Workers must be trained and able to demonstrate that they can successfully obtain an SDSs, regardless of whether they use MyChem or a paper system.
If electronic access has been lost and you need immediate access to an SDS outside of regular business work hours, contact the UW Police Department at 206.685.8973 and they will call EH&S to assist with the request.
Contact
For information about SDS call 206.616.4046 or send an email to mychem@uw.edu
Frequently asked questions
A safety data sheet (SDS) is generated in accordance with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The SDS format is new and replaces the MSDS or material safety data sheet (MSDS) format.
Safety data sheets (SDSs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) are both required elements of a laboratory’s chemical hygiene plan but each captures different types of information.
Use the Standard Operating Procedures versus Safety Data Sheets Focus Sheet to understand what types of information can be provided by or included in each type of document and how to effectively use these documents as part of your laboratory’s chemical hygiene plan.
If you get an SDS in your packaging, scan it, and attach the SDS file when entering or updating your chemical inventory in MyChem.
You are not required to keep a paper copy of an SDS unless electronic access to MyChem is a problem.
EH&S recommends laboratories maintain paper copies or easily be able to print SDSs for hazardous chemicals likely to spill and/or cause injury. Having an SDS immediately available when someone is exposed to a hazardous chemical aids emergency personnel in how to respond and treat that person.