Safety Data Sheet Update Procedure
Mandated by WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation Part 5 and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200 (Hazard Communication). This log documents every SDS review, chemical inventory audit, label compliance check, and corrective action — creating a defensible audit trail for your industrial site.
This procedure ensures that every Safety Data Sheet (SDS) on site is current (≤ 3 years from issue date, ≤ 5 years from original publication), that chemical inventories are accurate, and that all secondary containers bear compliant GHS labels. The log serves as the primary record for internal audits and Ministry of Labour / WorkSafeBC inspections. Each row in the audit matrix must be completed by a trained competent person; any non‑conformance is escalated via the corrective action log.
- Confirm you are wearing required PPE: nitrile gloves, safety glasses, and flame‑resistant coveralls when handling chemical containers or accessing SDS binders in storage areas.
- Ensure the audit area (chemical storage room, warehouse bay) has active ventilation ≤ 50 ppm VOCs before opening any container or binder.
- Obtain the current master chemical inventory list (CIL) and the existing SDS binder or digital repository. Verify each SDS is dated and traceable to a manufacturer.
- A spill containment kit and emergency eyewash must be accessible within 10 m of the audit location per CSA Z1220‑17.
Audit / Inspection Matrix — SDS Compliance
| Status (P/F) | Checklist Item / Hazard | Compliance Standard | Action Required / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| [ ] Pass [ ] Fail | SDS exists for every chemical on the master inventory list | WorkSafeBC Part 5.5 / OSHA 1910.1200(g) | _________________________ |
| [ ] Pass [ ] Fail | Each SDS is dated and ≤ 3 years from issue date | WHMIS 2015 / GHS Rev. 7 | _________________________ |
| [ ] Pass [ ] Fail | Secondary containers have GHS labels matching the SDS | CSA Z1220‑17 / OSHA 1910.1200(f) | _________________________ |
| [ ] Pass [ ] Fail | Chemical inventory list is current (last review date recorded) | Site-specific H&S policy | _________________________ |
| [ ] Pass [ ] Fail | Storage cabinets are labelled and segregated properly | NFPA 400 / CSA B366.1 | _________________________ |
| [ ] Pass [ ] Fail | SDS binder / digital repository is accessible to all workers on all shifts | WorkSafeBC Part 5.7 / OSHA 1910.1200(g)(8) | _________________________ |
Corrective Action Log — SDS Non‑Conformance
| Date / Time | Item # | Safety Issue Identified | Corrective Action Taken | Assigned To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ___/___/_____ __:__ | 001 | _______________________________ | _______________________________ | _______________ |
| ___/___/_____ __:__ | 002 | _______________________________ | _______________________________ | _______________ |
| ___/___/_____ __:__ | 003 | _______________________________ | _______________________________ | _______________ |
| ___/___/_____ __:__ | 004 | _______________________________ | _______________________________ | _______________ |
By signing below, the supervisor or designated competent person verifies that all SDS audits, chemical inventory checks, label verifications, and corrective actions documented on this log have been completed according to site H&S policy and regulatory requirements (WorkSafeBC Part 5, OSHA 1910.1200). Any outstanding failures are escalated to the Joint Health & Safety Committee and tracked until closure.