Companies using chemical products must produce accurate chemical safety information in accordance with regulations. But interpreting regulations and implementing processes to sustain chemical compliance can be challenging and as such, mistakes are often made.
Here, we take a look at some of the most commonly made mistakes when it comes to SDS management and authoring – and solutions to help you avoid them and get back to what matters most: running your business.
SDS Management Mistakes
1. Not making SDSs accessible.
SOLUTION: OSHA states that SDSs should be readily accessible and electronic access is permitted. Having an electronic binder versus an outdated hardcopy increases efficiencies and ensures access anytime, anywhere. When your end users are in the field, it’s imperative they have quick access to SDSs, no matter their level of technical expertise.
2. Not replacing all MSDSs with GHS SDS-formatted documents.
SOLUTION: As the GHS standards transform MSDSs into GHS SDSs, managing the compliance process can be a tedious and time-consuming one that requires a specialized EHS knowledge base. Even if you have a full-time compliance staff, click!SDSP™ can save you time and money.
3. Not including reporting.
SOLUTION: Are you ready when OSHA requests reporting of your SDSs? Do you do business across multiple locations? Our SDS management software, click!SDS Manager™, not only has an intuitive interface that allows employees and end users to easily access and search safety data sheets, but also a separate interface for safety managers that allows for robust reporting and management, saving you time in critical situations.
SDS Authoring Mistakes
4. Spending too much time authoring SDSs.
SOLUTION: Writing an SDS should not be time-consuming. Our click!SDSP™ is state-of-the-art, patent-pending software that allows you to create and publish SDSs in minutes instead of days or weeks. Our approach helps you spend less time while remaining compliant, with as little technical expertise as possible.
5. Not creating or updating SDSs according to regulations.
SOLUTION: Regulations change and keeping up is probably not your #1 priority. You need a partner who lives and breathes compliance. You need a compliance team who is constantly working with manufacturers to obtain the most up-to-date data. At GSM, our compliance team sets you up for success and when the regulations change, you can revise and update your SDSs with a click of the mouse. If you need regulatory advice, our regulatory team is with you every step of the way.
6. Allowing anyone to translate.
SOLUTION: Trusting anyone else with your SDS translations is not only risky, it’s more expensive. Don’t just leave it to anyone, or worse, Google Translate. If you do business in multiple languages, look for a compliance partner with a team of professional translators who specialize in SDS translation. You will feel secure knowing that your SDSs have been originally translated and edited by professionals who don’t overlook mistakes OSHA is looking out for.
At GSM, we want to be your complete SDS compliance partner, working closely with you to tailor our software and services to your specific needs. Schedule a demo today!
