A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a detailed fact sheet providing important information about a specific chemical which includes; hazard identification, chemical composition, first aid and fire-fighting measures, accidental release measures, handling and storage, exposure controls and personal protection equipment. The objective of an SDS is to concisely inform the user about the hazards of the materials so that an individual can protect themselves and respond appropriately to emergency situations.

Principal Investigators and Course Directors (not EH&S) are responsible for educating their employees or students on the hazards of specific chemicals within their laboratory.  A means of educating on the high hazards is performed by requiring reading of these SDS sheets and/or creating specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) relating to handling or processes with the specific chemical which are maintained within their laboratory.  All individuals working within a research laboratory must be familiar with a SDS structure and understanding of the contents.  All laboratory individuals must be familiar or otherwise review SDS information for each hazardous chemical they use before handling.  Please contact the EH&S office to schedule training for any personnel unacquainted with reading an SDS.

The Marine Biological Laboratory’s Safety Office maintains a SDS database which should be bookmarked on each computer at MBL associated with laboratory research.  All individuals working in a laboratory should be familiar with using this database system. Individuals must have readily available access to these SDSs and each laboratory is highly encouraged to maintain a hardcopy of SDSs for all highly hazardous chemicals in the laboratory. Click here to view the MBL SDS database - please save to your bookmarks or favorites in your browser.