COSHH / SDS query from a newbie

[AdminGirl]

Hi All

Newbie here I’ve recently started working as H&S Co-ordinator – updating training records, dealing with accident reports, arranging and minuting H&S meetings etc.

The previous person left and we only had a small handover of 2 days (well 1.5 days as they didn't come back after lunch on their last day). One area I’ve been asked to look at is the COSHH as the Managing Director feels it has been a little neglected. I’ve found the COSHH Register and have gone through and can see that we are using some products not listed on there. I’ve spent all of yesterday online trying to find Safety Data Sheets and by the time I went home my head was frazzled, so I’m turning to you wise people for some help and guidance

Where do you get your SDS from?
How do I know when a SDS has been reviewed/updated by the manufacturer?

Thanks so much for any tips and bits of info you can throw my way.

[WillPool]

Hi Admingirl

Welcome to the forums

I usually obtain my SDS straight from the manufacturer, most times there is one contained within our deliveries, I manually check revisions of SDS annually.

As well as having the SDS, you really ought to have a COSHH Risk Assessment, as manufacturers provide SDS's for mass production, mass storage etc, they will think along millions of liters of paint, when you may be using/storing 1 5 liter can, so risk controls will be different.

The HSE give some good clear guidance on what is required here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/index.htm

I used to have an old Microsoft Access Database with all of my stuff on and it would churn out a COSHH RA with pictorial PPE Requirements on the front page but cant seem to find it anywhere now

As well as the SDS and COSSH RA, you will also need to ensure all of the staff are trained in COSHH and the appropriate control measures and emergency response for anything hazardous.

Hope this helps a bit

Will

[AdminGirl]

Hi Will

Thanks for your quick response. The MD did mention something about booking me on training for COSHH Risk Assessments.

So is it better to just go straight to the manufacturer/supplier for the SDS rather than Googling it? I was looking for one yesterday for Boots Surgical Spirit and just ended up emailing their Customer Services - still waiting to hear back. Unfortunately there was no SDS in the delivery box - just a delivery note.

[WillPool]

I usually reach out to them, some respond quicker than others

When they dont respond I then tend to go to the search engine. There have been cases previously where I couldnt find a specific brand of the item, so used a competitors and included that as a caveat within the risk assessment.

Also ensure your first aiders have copies of RA and SDS as if someone needs to go to hospital the hospital can treat quicker if they have the SDS.

Will

[AdminGirl]

Great, thank you Will Hopefully they'll come back shortly with the SDS info.

[Alexis]

Hi AdminGirl.

Just a warm welcome to HSfB from me.

Didn't want to interrupt the flow between yourself and Will.

All the very best with your new role.

Look forward to hearing from you in our forums in the future.

[AdminGirl]

Thank you. I'm sure I'm going to find this forum very useful

[stephen1974]

If you have a specific supplier, example, Newline, who provide the chemicals you use they will often have copies of all the SDS for the products they sell so you may be able to get them all from one place. If you buy from stores or online retailers like amazon etc then you'll need to go to the supplier/manufacturer or hunt around online.

Best bet is to ask the manufacturer as they'll give you the most up to date version. It can also be hard to find online because "Boots" might be the brand but its unlikely they are the manufacturer. They should still be able to give you the right SDS as the suuplier but when you search for it under Boots surgical spirit you might not find anything.

[AdminGirl]

Thank you for your advice Stephen. I am having a meeting later this week with the Office Manager who orders the majority of products we use to find out who the suppliers are so I know where to go for the SDS. Hopefully we can also streamline some products so rather than using random washing up liquid in the kitchen from week to week, we can just stick to one or two brands