Safety data sheets and dangerous goods declarations, with full examples
If you make, import, sell, store or ship anything that can burn, corrode, poison or explode, two documents follow it everywhere. The safety data sheet tells everyone who touches the product what it is and what to do when things go wrong. The shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods tells the airline that a specific consignment has been packed and declared correctly. This guide explains both, shows a complete example of each, and sets out the South African rules that make them compulsory.
What a safety data sheet is for
A safety data sheet, still often called an MSDS from its older name, is the manufacturer’s or importer’s full account of a chemical product: what is in it, how it is classified, what it does to people and the environment, how to store and handle it, what to do when it spills or catches fire, and how it is shipped. It is written for the workplace, not for the shelf. A safety officer uses it to write the risk assessment, a nurse uses section 4 when someone is splashed, the fire brigade uses section 5, the forwarder uses section 14 and the waste contractor uses section 13.
The legal basis is the Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents, 2021, made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and gazetted on 29 March 2021. They adopt the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, revision 8, and gave industry 18 months, to 2 September 2022, to comply. Since then every manufacturer and importer must classify each hazardous chemical agent, label it in the GHS format, and provide an SDS in the 16-section format to every supplier and every workplace that uses the product. SANS 10234 is the South African standard that sets out the format. An employer must keep the SDS where the product is used and make it available to employees; a Department of Employment and Labour inspector will ask for it. The regulations provide for a fine or imprisonment for non-compliance.
A compliant 16-section safety data sheet, in full
The example below is for pure isopropanol, a common solvent, sold by a fictitious supplier. Every section heading is the one the GHS and SANS 10234 require, in the required order. The content is realistic and drawn from the published properties of isopropanol, but it is an illustration: a real SDS is written by a person qualified to classify the product, from test data and the supplier’s own composition, and is dated and version-controlled.
Safety data sheet
Section 1: Identification of the substance and of the supplier
Product identifier: Isopropanol, technical grade 99.5%. Synonyms: isopropyl alcohol, propan-2-ol, IPA. CAS No. 67-63-0. EC No. 200-661-7.
Recommended use: industrial solvent, cleaning and degreasing agent. Uses advised against: not for consumer use, not for use on skin as an antiseptic.
Supplier: Highveld Pumps (Pty) Ltd, 14 Refinery Road, Germiston 1401, South Africa. Tel +27 11 555 0140. Email [email protected].
Emergency telephone: Poisons Information Helpline 0861 555 777 (24 hours). Company emergency line +27 82 555 0141 (24 hours).
Section 2: Hazard identification
Classification (GHS revision 8): Flammable liquid, Category 2 (H225). Serious eye irritation, Category 2A (H319). Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure, Category 3, narcotic effects (H336).
Label elements: Pictograms GHS02 (flame) and GHS07 (exclamation mark). Signal word: DANGER.
Hazard statements: H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour. H319 Causes serious eye irritation. H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Precautionary statements: P210 Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking. P233 Keep container tightly closed. P240 Ground and bond container and receiving equipment. P261 Avoid breathing vapours. P280 Wear protective gloves and eye protection. P303+P361+P353 If on skin or hair: take off immediately all contaminated clothing, rinse skin with water. P305+P351+P338 If in eyes: rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing. P370+P378 In case of fire, use alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide to extinguish. P403+P235 Store in a well-ventilated place, keep cool. P501 Dispose of contents and container to a licensed hazardous waste facility.
Other hazards: vapour is heavier than air and may travel to a distant ignition source and flash back. Repeated skin contact causes drying and cracking.
Section 3: Composition and information on ingredients
| Ingredient | CAS No. | Concentration | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Propan-2-ol (isopropanol) | 67-63-0 | ≥ 99.5 % m/m | Flam. Liq. 2, H225; Eye Irrit. 2A, H319; STOT SE 3, H336 |
| Water | 7732-18-5 | ≤ 0.5 % m/m | Not classified |
Section 4: First-aid measures
- Inhalation: move to fresh air. If breathing is difficult give oxygen. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Get medical attention.
- Skin: remove contaminated clothing. Wash with soap and water. Get medical attention if irritation persists.
- Eyes: rinse immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, holding the eyelids open. Remove contact lenses. Get medical attention.
- Ingestion: do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical attention immediately.
- Most important symptoms: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, eye irritation. Large ingestion may cause central nervous system depression and coma.
- Note to physician: treat symptomatically. Isopropanol is metabolised to acetone.
Section 5: Fire-fighting measures
- Suitable extinguishing media: alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, water spray to cool containers. Unsuitable: a solid water jet, which spreads the fire.
- Specific hazards: highly flammable. Vapour forms explosive mixtures with air. Containers may burst when heated. Combustion produces carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
- Advice for fire-fighters: wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing. Cool exposed containers with water spray from a protected position.
Section 6: Accidental release measures
- Personal precautions: remove all ignition sources. Ventilate the area. Wear the protective equipment in section 8. Keep unnecessary people away. Avoid breathing vapour.
- Environmental precautions: prevent entry into drains, watercourses and soil. Inform the municipality if the product enters a drain.
- Containment and clean-up: absorb small spills with sand, earth or vermiculite and place in a labelled container for disposal. Contain large spills with bunds; recover by pump using explosion-proof equipment. Clean the area with water.
Section 7: Handling and storage
- Handling: use only in well-ventilated areas. Keep away from heat, sparks and open flames. Earth and bond containers when transferring. Use explosion-proof electrical and lighting equipment. Use non-sparking tools. Do not eat, drink or smoke when using. Wash hands after handling.
- Storage: store in the original, tightly closed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated flammable liquids store away from oxidising agents, acids and direct sunlight. Store in accordance with SANS 10263-0 and the flammable store requirements of the local fire authority. Keep below 30 °C.
Section 8: Exposure controls and personal protection
Occupational exposure limits: take the current limit for propan-2-ol from Annex 2 of the Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents, 2021. The commonly published values are an 8-hour time-weighted average of 400 ppm and a 15-minute short-term limit of 500 ppm; confirm against the current annex before use.
- Engineering controls: local exhaust ventilation at the point of use. Explosion-proof equipment. Eyewash station and safety shower nearby.
- Eye and face: chemical splash goggles to SANS 1404 or EN 166.
- Skin: nitrile or butyl rubber gloves, breakthrough time over 480 minutes; check the glove manufacturer’s data. Antistatic overalls and footwear.
- Respiratory: where ventilation is inadequate, a half-mask with organic vapour filter type A. Self-contained breathing apparatus in confined spaces or for spills.
Section 9: Physical and chemical properties
| Appearance | Clear, colourless liquid | Odour | Alcohol-like; odour threshold about 22 ppm |
| pH | Not applicable | Melting point | −89 °C |
| Boiling point | 82.5 °C | Flash point | 12 °C (closed cup) |
| Evaporation rate | 1.7 (butyl acetate = 1) | Flammability limits | Lower 2.0 %, upper 12.7 % by volume in air |
| Vapour pressure | 4.4 kPa at 20 °C | Vapour density | 2.1 (air = 1) |
| Relative density | 0.785 at 20 °C | Solubility | Miscible with water |
| Auto-ignition temperature | 399 °C | Viscosity | 2.4 mPa·s at 20 °C |
Section 10: Stability and reactivity
- Reactivity: no hazardous reactions under normal conditions.
- Chemical stability: stable under recommended storage. May form peroxides on prolonged storage exposed to air and light.
- Conditions to avoid: heat, flames, sparks, static discharge, direct sunlight.
- Incompatible materials: strong oxidising agents, strong acids, acid anhydrides, halogens, aluminium at high temperature.
- Hazardous decomposition products: carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide on burning.
Section 11: Toxicological information
- Acute toxicity: oral LD50 (rat) about 4 700 mg/kg; dermal LD50 (rabbit) about 12 800 mg/kg; inhalation LC50 (rat, 8 h) about 16 000 ppm. Not classified for acute toxicity.
- Skin corrosion or irritation: not classified; repeated contact defats the skin.
- Serious eye damage or irritation: Category 2A, causes serious eye irritation.
- Sensitisation: not a sensitiser.
- Germ cell mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity: not classified. Not listed by IARC as carcinogenic.
- Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure: Category 3, may cause drowsiness or dizziness.
- Aspiration hazard: not classified.
Section 12: Ecological information
- Toxicity: fish LC50 (96 h) above 1 000 mg/L; daphnia EC50 (48 h) above 1 000 mg/L. Not classified as hazardous to the aquatic environment.
- Persistence and degradability: readily biodegradable.
- Bioaccumulative potential: low, log Kow 0.05.
- Mobility in soil: highly mobile, miscible with water.
- Other adverse effects: none known.
Section 13: Disposal considerations
Dispose of product and contaminated packaging through a waste contractor licensed under the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008, in accordance with the waste classification regulations. Do not discharge to drains. Empty drums retain vapour and remain a fire hazard; do not cut or weld them.
Section 14: Transport information
| Road (SANS 10231 / NRTA) | Sea (IMDG Code) | Air (IATA DGR) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UN number | UN1219 | UN1219 | UN1219 |
| Proper shipping name | ISOPROPANOL | ISOPROPANOL | Isopropanol |
| Class | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Packing group | II | II | II |
| Other | Placard and Tremcard per SANS 10232. Driver needs PrDP category D. | EmS F-E, S-D. Marine pollutant: no. | Packing instruction 353 (passenger), 364 (cargo only). Limited quantity Y341, 1 L. |
Section 15: Regulatory information
Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and the Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents, 2021. SANS 10234 (GHS). National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, Chapter VIII of the regulations, and SANS 10228, 10229, 10231 and 10232 for road transport of dangerous goods. National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008. Hazardous Substances Act 15 of 1973 where applicable.
Section 16: Other information
Full text of hazard statements in section 3: H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour; H319 Causes serious eye irritation; H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Abbreviations: CAS, Chemical Abstracts Service; STOT SE, specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; PrDP, professional driving permit. Revision 3.0 updates sections 8 and 14. Prepared by the supplier’s product safety officer. The information is believed accurate at the date of issue and relates to the product as supplied; it is not a guarantee of properties and the user is responsible for its safe use.
What inspectors look for. All sixteen headings present and in order. A revision date less than a few years old. Section 2 with a GHS classification, pictograms and the H and P statements, not the old orange-square symbols. Section 8 with the South African exposure limit, not only an overseas one. Section 14 with all three modes. A supplier telephone number that answers.
What the dangerous goods declaration is for
Air is the strictest mode. The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, republished every year and adopted in South Africa through the Civil Aviation Regulations, require the shipper of any dangerous goods consignment to hand the airline a Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods. It certifies, on the shipper’s own signature, that the goods are correctly classified, packed, marked and labelled and that every air transport requirement has been met. The airline relies on it completely: it decides which aircraft may carry the package, where it is loaded and what the crew are told.
Three rules cause most refusals. The declaration must be signed by a person who has completed dangerous goods training under section 1.5 of the regulations, and the airline may ask for the training record. Two signed copies go to the airline. And the columns must be completed with the exact entries from the regulations’ dangerous goods list: the UN number, the proper shipping name as printed, the class, the packing group, the quantity and type of packaging, and the packing instruction number. Anything else, including the trade name alone, is a rejection. Small consignments may qualify as limited or excepted quantities with lighter requirements, but that is a decision for the trained person, not for the courier counter.
A completed shipper’s declaration
The same drum of isopropanol, this time as four 4-litre cans in a fibreboard box going by air. The layout follows the IATA form, whose real version has a red hatched border and must be completed in English, typed or printed.
Shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods
NATURE AND QUANTITY OF DANGEROUS GOODS
| UN or ID No. | Proper shipping name | Class or division (subsidiary hazard) | Packing group | Quantity and type of packing | Packing inst. | Authorization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UN1219 | Isopropanol | 3 | II | 1 Fibreboard box × 4 L | 353 |
Road and sea
- Road. Chapter VIII of the National Road Traffic Regulations, with the SANS 10228 to 10232 series, governs dangerous goods over the exempt quantities on South African roads: the classification of the load, the placards on the vehicle, the emergency information card (the Tremcard) in the cab, the dangerous goods vehicle inspection, and the driver’s professional driving permit in category D, for which the minimum age is 25 and a dangerous goods training certificate is required.
- Sea. The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code applies. The shipper gives the line a dangerous goods declaration and a container packing certificate; the drum in the bill of lading example above carries the UN number, class, packing group, flash point and the emergency schedule codes for this reason. Lines refuse undeclared hazardous cargo and fine shippers who conceal it.
- The link between them is section 14 of the safety data sheet, which gives the UN number, shipping name, class and packing group for all three modes. If your SDS section 14 is blank or says “not regulated” for a product that clearly is, the SDS is wrong and everything downstream will be wrong with it.
What actually goes wrong
- An old-format MSDS with eight or ten sections, or a foreign SDS with no South African exposure limit and no local emergency number. Both fail an inspection and both are rejected by careful forwarders.
- Reselling a product with the manufacturer’s SDS unchanged while your own label is on the drum. The importer or the company placing the product on the market is responsible for the SDS, and its details must be in section 1.
- A dangerous goods declaration signed by whoever was at the desk. The signatory must be trained and the airline can refuse the shipment and report the shipper to the Civil Aviation Authority.
- Trade names in the proper shipping name column. “IPA cleaner” is not a proper shipping name. The entry is copied from the list, exactly.
- Hidden dangerous goods. Aerosols, lithium batteries in equipment, perfumes, paints and adhesives in a “general cargo” box. Undeclared dangerous goods are the single thing airlines and shipping lines police hardest, and the penalties fall on the shipper, not the forwarder.
Frequently asked questions
Is a safety data sheet compulsory in South Africa?
Yes. The Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents, 2021, made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and in full effect since 2 September 2022, require every manufacturer and importer of a hazardous chemical agent to classify it under the Globally Harmonized System, label it, and provide a safety data sheet in the 16-section GHS format to every supplier and every workplace that uses it. SANS 10234 is the South African standard for the format.
What are the 16 sections of a safety data sheet?
1 Identification; 2 Hazard identification; 3 Composition and information on ingredients; 4 First-aid measures; 5 Fire-fighting measures; 6 Accidental release measures; 7 Handling and storage; 8 Exposure controls and personal protection; 9 Physical and chemical properties; 10 Stability and reactivity; 11 Toxicological information; 12 Ecological information; 13 Disposal considerations; 14 Transport information; 15 Regulatory information; 16 Other information. All sixteen must appear, in that order, even where a section says no data is available.
Who may sign a shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods?
Only a person who has completed dangerous goods training as required by section 1.5 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and whose employer holds the training record. The signature certifies that the consignment is classified, packed, marked and labelled correctly, and the signatory, not the freight forwarder, carries the legal responsibility. Two signed copies go to the airline.
What is the difference between an SDS and a dangerous goods declaration?
The safety data sheet describes the chemical itself and is for anyone who handles it: hazards, first aid, spill response, storage. It stays with the product. The shipper’s declaration is for one consignment by air and is for the airline: it certifies that this particular shipment is packed and declared correctly under the IATA rules. Section 14 of the SDS gives the transport information you need to complete the declaration.
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Sources: the Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents, 2021, made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and gazetted 29 March 2021; SANS 10234, the South African adoption of the Globally Harmonized System; the United Nations GHS, revision 8, Annex 4 on safety data sheets; the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, current edition, including the shipper’s declaration form and section 1.5 on training; the Civil Aviation Regulations, 2011, Part 92; Chapter VIII of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000 and SANS 10228 to 10232; the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code. The isopropanol data are drawn from published supplier safety data sheets and are illustrative; a real SDS must be prepared from the supplier’s own data by a competent person. This is information, not legal advice.