I CLEANUP SITES. WHY SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT SDSs?

HAZWOPER training should cover me for hazardous conditions at site clean ups.  Right?

 The truth is that every site is different and a good look at the information in SDS may (or may not) keep you out of personal danger. The SDS is a key element in the HASP (health and safety plan) for the site. But is it right?

 This paper discusses the kinds of chemical specific information you are likely to find in SDSs and discusses the degree of reliance you can place on supplied SDSs.

• Is the SDS current or something dug out of the past?
• SDSs – Are they internally consistent of do they just don’t make sense?
• Mixtures – The more complex the mixture, the more skeptical you should be.
• Where do I go to check on things?  After all, it is my health I want to assure.
• What are the properties at the low levels found as contaminants?