Section 8 of the SDS

In the SDS, SECTION 8: Exposure controls/personal protection comprises:
8.1. Control parameters
8.2. Exposure controls

When completing this section of the SDS, you may find it useful to speak to an occupational health expert such as your on-site Health and Safety Manager, or an external consultant, if you use one.  It will be more helpful if this expert is knowledgeable about chemicals and COSHH, rather than just “general” health and safety.

8.1. Control parameters

8.1.1 Occupational exposure limits         “not applicable” or:

This table should be used for substances and impurities; or for component substances in a mixture, as applicable.  Don’t forget that this includes all substances with a Workplace Exposure Limit, whether or not they are identified by a CAS number or not, and whether or not the substance is classified.  An example is any organic dust, which will have a WEL even if it is not classified under CLP.

This table must refer to the national Workplace Exposure Limits for the country the product is to be used in.  These may sometimes supersede the European WELs.  Information on non-UK WELs can be obtained from  the GESTIS database http://limitvalue.ifa.dguv.de/.

The list of materials with UK Workplace Exposure Limits and Biological Limit Values is found in the HSE guide EH40/2005, Workplace Exposure Limits (2011 edition with updates), which can be downloaded for free as a pdf from https://books.hse.gov.uk/bookstore.asp?ACTION=BOOK&PRODUCTID=9780717664467 .  Don’t forget that Lead (as a metal or as a compound) also has a Workplace Exposure Limit, but this is found in the Control of Lead at Work Regulations Approved Code of Practice, 2002, which can be downloaded from free as a pdf from https://books.hse.gov.uk/bookstore.asp?ACTION=BOOK&PRODUCTID=9780717625659 .

8.1.2 Biological Limit Values   any information on these, or “not applicable” (eg where blood levels of a chemical must be monitored)

8.1.3 Current recommended monitoring procedures: “not applicable” or provide monitoring procedure information for any substance which has limit values

8.1.4 Air contaminants formed when using the product as intended:air contaminants are (not) formed.  (If they are formed, list them, and give any OELs or BLVs as well).

8.1.5. PNECs and DNELs: either “no information” or report test results  – required under REACH, so information should be available for registered substances

8.2. Exposure controls

8.2.1. Appropriate engineering controls eg ventilation, dust suppression etc

8.2.2. Personal Protection Equipment

Eye protection:  safety glasses/ safety goggles, any information on appropriate standards of manufacture. Or “not required”.

Face protection: whether faceshield should be worn, any information on appropriate standards of manufacture. Or “not required”.

Hand protection: glove type: eg gloves, gauntlets, type of material:e.g. nitrile rubber, latex etc., glove thickness: in mm, Breakthrough times of glove material: typical or minimum breakthrough times, if available, or state if not applicable.  If unsure of end use, “Obtain professional advice as to the gloves to be worn”.

Other skin protection: e.g. gauntlets, boots, bodysuit, etc.  Include additional skin protection measures and specific hygiene measures, if required.

Respiratory protection: Either “not required” or, specify the type of equipment to be used, details of particulate filters/ masks/ breathing apparatus etc. 

Thermal hazards: Details of specific protective equipment against thermal hazards (include cold as well as heat)

8.2.3. Environmental exposure controls: e.g. do not release substance to sewer or surface water; do not release any vapours and/or dusts direct to air, emissions must be scrubbed etc.