This brand-new training course will provide you with a technical understanding of Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) including extended Safety Data Sheets (eSDSs) over two days of intensive training.

SDS/eSDS has been created by popular demand from our Chemical Watch community and will be led by expert trainers Laura Robinson and Mark Selby. Aimed at those who need to prepare or evaluate safety data sheets (SDSs) for mixtures using data from incoming (extended) SDSs or from other sources of information. Supplier SDSs may not always give all the information needed and, in all cases, it is necessary to interpret all available information as efficiently and as effectively as possible.

Even where supplier SDSs are reliable, the act of mixing substances with different properties will lead to questions over the suitability of exposure reduction methods (such as glove types) and also raise questions for appropriate first aid or cleaning of spills. Understanding the properties of ingredients and the nature of the mixtures prepared is key to minimising risk to users and in meeting regulatory compliance.

This course is designed for those involved in preparing safety data sheets and need to undertake chemical safety assessment on mixtures and communicate this information to recipients of chemicals within the context of product stewardship. To do this effectively, it is necessary to understand how to write SDS that not only meet regulatory requirements but, more importantly, are useful to the recipient.  

The interpretation of supplier SDS and exposure scenarios, and the implementation of relevant and appropriate recommendations. Is key to this process; even if supplier SDS and exposure scenarios are not helpful and are disregarded, it is essential to understand and record reasons why this advice was not considered appropriate and to justify the use of your own risk assessment in preparing a useful safety data sheet.

It is expected that those attending would have an understanding of the broad concepts of chemical supply legislation, including REACH. Furthermore, an understanding of the science of data assessment (basic toxicology and ecotoxicology and physicochemical properties) and a good working knowledge of the SDS would be advantageous. An understanding of the principles of DNELs and PNECs would also be useful.

What to expect:

Day one of the course is designed for those involved in writing safety data sheets with a focus on mixtures. Topics to be covered on day one include:

• Evaluation of information from supplier SDSs;
• The use of public databases to enhance confidence in supplier data;
• Using information from suppliers and other sources to prepare SDSs;
• Potential issues of interpreting mixture data for toxicology and ecological sections;
• Classification and data estimation for mixtures;
• Basic physicochemical data to address other sections of the SDS (such as exposure routes, accidental spillage and clean-up methods, etc);
• Important considerations when writing first aid measures; and,
• Risk management measures.

Day two of the training course will look at exposure reduction and the interpretation of supplier exposure scenarios when writing SDS, looking at:

• Regulatory requirements; what 'appropriate' information needs to be supplied;
• Exposure reduction through the use of controls and personal protection;
• The relevance of substance DNELs, PNECs and their use in assessing mixtures;
• Preparing an exposure scenario;
• Manual estimates and use of models (such as EUSES, ECETOC, and Chesar);
• Exposure estimates;
• Scaling factors and adapting information for specific sites and uses; and,
• Expected outcome of the communication to recipients.

Throughout the SDS/eSDS training course, real-life case studies and set exercises will be used so you can put your new-found knowledge into practice.

Delegates are encouraged to bring their own example SDS/exposure scenarios which can be used during the course.

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