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two contains a “corrosive” pictogram with accompanying precautionary statements, section nine tells the planner the exact pH. With this information, the planner can take a deeper look at incompatibilities and determine where (and with what) the chemical can be stored. Stability and Reactivity (Section 10) Section 10 supports the information in section nine by describing the consequences of improperly storing or handling the hazardous chemical. It provides rationales for keeping things segregated or stored in prescribed conditions, especially when it isn’t necessarily convenient to do so. Reactivity information reinforces the incompatibility information found in section seven so that planners know which materials to segregate from others. It’s important to note that most manufacturers don’t provide extensive lists of incompatible materials. Classes or groups of materials, such as “oxidizers” or “flammables,” may be listed instead of an exhaustive list of every possible oxidizer or flammable. Chemical stability information describes the storage and other conditions necessary to maintain a chemical’s stability as well as changes that can indicate that the material has become unstable. Incorporating SDS Information Nuggets In addition to providing essential information for the creating procedures, SDSs are also a valuable tool for chemical storage and handling trainings and audits. Because most employees are required to have hazard communication training, they should already have at least a basic understanding of what an SDS is and the type of information it contains. Chances are fair, though, that they may not be able to list the titles of all 16 sections or describe what each section contains in elaborate detail. Using SDS during storage and handling trainings reinforces hazard communication training and provides a basis for how and why the procedures that have been established for chemical storage and handling will help to keep them safe. Information in SDS can also be incorporated into checklists or auditing protocols to help auditors verify that the requirements listed in the procedures will be effective for the safe management of chemicals in the facility. Establishing any type of procedure takes time. In some workplaces, it can also be difficult to rationalize why things need to be done a certain way, especially if a procedure is new or has recently changed. Utilizing SDS to help planners make informed decisions that will help reduce risks and increase safety when storing and handling hazardous chemicals. Karen D. Hamel CSP, CIT, WACH, is a regulatory expert, trainer and technical writer for HalenHardy. She has more than 25 years of experience helping EHS professionals meet regulatory requirements and industry standards. Karen is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Instructional Trainer (CIT), Walkway Auditor Certificate Holder (WACH), OSHA-Authorized Outreach Trainer for General Industry, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Trainer and Hazmat Technician. She also serves on the Blair County, PA LEPC. International trade fair and congress for safety and health at work. BETTER TOGETHER! At the No. 1 event worldwide for occupational safety and health you will meet national and international manufacturers and stakeholders. Make sure your company can benefit from their strong impulses and solutions for the occupational safety sector. Order your ticket now! Because: PEOPLE MATTER. OCTOBER 24 - 27, 2023 DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY aplusa-online.com SEE US AT ASSP, BOOTH #441 For show information: Messe Düsseldorf North America Tel. (312) 781-5180 _ info@mdna.com www.mdna.com For hotel and travel arrangements: TTI Travel, Inc. Tel. (866) 674-3476 _ info@ttitravel.net www.ohsonline.com JUNE 2023 | Occupational Health & Safety 23