What Should Every Industry Know About Safety Data Sheets and OSHA Compliance?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is the federal body in the United States responsible for administering and enforcing workplace rules to prevent accidents and emphasize well-being.

Safety data sheets are a key component of OSHA compliance, so decision-makers across industries must understand what SDSs contain and why that information supports safety.

What Are Safety Data Sheets?

Safety data sheets are standardized documents located at every site where personnel work around chemicals. They provide reliable and easily accessible information, including:

• The name and type of chemical
• Storage and handling instructions
• Details about potential hazards
• First-aid and firefighting guidance
• Personal protective equipment requirements
• Recommended exposure controls
• Disposal precautions

Having that information available reduces problems caused by planned or accidental chemical exposure because workers can protect themselves.

What Is OSHA Compliance?

An OSHA-compliant business adheres to all regulatory standards published by the regulator for the relevant industry. One aspect of compliance that relates to SDSs is the Hazard Communication Program. It requires businesses to document all processes for managing and maintaining safety and to clearly identify risks by labeling chemicals and their containers.

OSHA also requires companies to create emergency action plans that are either verbally stated or documented in writing, depending on a company’s size. The SDS can inform relevant responses because it explains evacuation procedures and minimizes risks. Although an SDS is only one part of OSHA compliance, it is essential for keeping employees aware of dangers and helping them react appropriately.

Leaders of U.S. businesses that trade abroad should know that OSHA requires SDS information in English, though it may also include other languages. The regulator allows entities to maintain these documents in electronic or physical forms, as long as employees have immediate access to them without leaving their work areas. An employer that opts for a digital format must also keep physical documents in case of power outages or other emergencies.

How Various Industries Use SDS to Stay Compliant

All companies that use chemicals must give employees access to the relevant SDS, regardless of industry. What are some examples of how specific sectors use these documents to promote safety?

Aviation

The aviation industry frequently uses SDSs because they are required when sending items by air. The document usually has 16 sections, each with themed information. The first eight include general data about a chemical and its hazards and handling measures. The second group contains scientific and technical details, such as a substance’s overall stability and reactivity concerns.

This information is crucial, especially considering the ramifications of something going wrong during a flight. No one can prevent all emergencies, but an SDS reinforces preparedness in case they happen.

Construction

When many people think of chemicals, vials and vats come to mind. However, construction workers may encounter them in different forms via engineered nanomaterials. A 2025 study found that many sites use more than 50 of them, and that SDS content does not always accurately reflect the hazards.

Researchers’ examinations of 907 such products revealed that SDSs lacked composition details for 38.1% of the engineered nanomaterials. Construction industry leaders must remain abreast of new products used and update the SDS accordingly, even if that means contacting manufacturers for clarification.

Manufacturing

Some manufacturing employees face elevated chemical exposure risks from substances stored or used in large quantities at their workplaces. Complications also arise when residential areas surround production facilities.

Such was the case during a 2025 incident where an ammonia leak and explosion required nearby community members to evacuate. First responders attended the scene, and the matter required temporarily closing a roadway. Because this case affected multiple parties, it is a strong example of how an SDS goes beyond worker safety and OSHA compliance to protect anyone addressing chemical emergencies.

Agriculture

Agricultural workers commonly use farming chemicals. Many of those products can cause or exacerbate skin conditions by triggering inflammation and weakening protective barriers.

An SDS details which protective equipment to use, ensuring employee preparedness. It can also shape emergency responses to mitigate catastrophic effects on farms and in nearby neighborhoods.

Health Care

The health care industry uses many chemicals when treating patients. For example, ethylene oxide sterilizes devices that are unsuitable for heat- or steam-based applications. However, it is a known carcinogen, so those working with it must take particular precautions.

In one case, a naval medical research facility in Texas pursued the digitalization of safety data sheets. The location deals with more than 1,500 such documents. The collection required countless hours to review and update. Now, a worker can retrieve a safety data sheet in seconds after scanning a chemical’s barcode or typing its name into a search feature on a tablet.

Safety Data Sheets Reinforce OSHA Compliance

Safety data sheets increase awareness for workers across industries, detailing the risks and appropriate measures for specific chemicals. These documents support OSHA compliance by accurately communicating hazards, enabling employees to plan and respond. They similarly help employers calculate necessary investments, whether in personal protective equipment, training or other preventive measures to ensure well-being and safety.