Common Mistakes in SDS Sections – and How to Spot Them

When a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is wrong, the consequences aren’t just bureaucratic—they can be life-changing. Emergency responders may choose the wrong firefighting agent, workers might reach for inadequate PPE, and logistics teams could ship a product under the wrong classification. In Canada, an SDS that fails the WHMIS‐compliant safety data sheet sections test can trigger penalties and stoppages, but the biggest risk is human. This guide highlights the slip-ups we see most often in WHMIS SDS sections and shows you practical ways to catch them before they catch you.

1. A 30-Second Refresher: The 16 WHMIS SDS Sections

WHMIS 2015 (now aligned with the UN’s GHS) mandates a standardized 16-section format:

1. Identification

2. Hazard Identification

3. Composition / Information on Ingredients

4. First-Aid Measures

5. Fire-Fighting Measures

6. Accidental Release Measures

7. Handling and Storage

8. Exposure Controls / 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 (including revision history)

If any of these headings is missing or out of order, you’re already non-compliant.

2. Section-by-Section Missteps You’ll See in the Wild

Section 1 & 2: Identity Crises

• Wrong product identifier (trade name differs from the label).

• Supplier address or 24 h emergency number missing.

• Classification in Section 2 doesn’t match pictograms or signal word.

Spot it: Compare the SDS header to the physical label. An SDS that can’t “shake hands” with its container is a red flag.

Section 3: Ingredient Guesswork

• Concentration ranges don’t add up to 100 %.

• Trade-secret claims lack a CAS number surrogate.

• Ingredients in Section 3 conflict with the hazard classes in Section 2.

Spot it: Use free databases (ECHA, CCOHS) to cross-check CAS numbers and typical hazard classes. If Section 2 lists a carcinogen but Section 3 omits it, something’s off.

Sections 4 & 5: Cookie-Cutter Emergency Advice

• Copy-pasted first-aid statements (“Seek medical attention”) with no substance.

• Incompatible extinguishing media ignored (e.g., water on a metal fire).

Spot it: Look for product-specific details. Generic advice is acceptable only for generic hazards.

Sections 6 & 7: Incompatible Storage Rules

• Spill procedures recommend PPE that clashes with Section 8.

• Storage temperatures contradict the flash point in Section 9.

Spot it: Map the instructions onto a real facility scenario. If you see instructions that would spark a flashback—you’ve found an error.

Section 8: PPE Mismatches

• Missing provincial exposure limits (Ontario, Québec, etc.).

• Respirator recommendation doesn’t match the measured OEL.

Spot it: Compare the listed exposure limits to the latest ACGIH TLVs or provincial tables. Outdated limits or vague “use appropriate respirator” lines signal trouble.

Section 9: Fictional Physical Data

• Boiling point or density clearly impossible (e.g., water boiling at 300 °C).

• “No data available” for critical properties like flash point in a flammable liquid.

Spot it: Run a sanity check. If the numbers defy chemistry basics, they’re wrong.

Section 10: Stability Under Fantasy Conditions

• Lists “none” under incompatible materials but Section 5 mentions oxidizers.

• Decomposition products missing for peroxide-forming chemicals.

Spot it: Cross-reference Section 5 (fire) and Section 10 (reactivity). They should read like they attended the same safety meeting.

Section 11: Hand-Waving Toxicology

• LD₅₀ values for unrelated species (e.g., fish data in mammal toxicity).

• Carcinogenicity states “not listed” even though IARC lists it as Group 2B.

Spot it: Check Health Canada’s Hazardous Products Regulations for minimum data requirements.

Sections 12–14: “Not Regulated” Blanket Statements

• Marking “Not regulated” for TDG while Section 2 shows a Class 3 flammable.

• Ecological impact claimed as “none known” for an oil or solvent.

Spot it: If Section 2 screams danger and Section 14 whispers “all clear,” you have an inconsistency.

Section 15: Regulatory Blind Spots

• WHMIS symbols missing; only OSHA data provided.

• No mention of CEPA listings or NPRI thresholds.

Spot it: A Canadian SDS must speak Canadian. Look for explicit WHMIS language.

Section 16: Version Amnesia

• No revision date.

• “Prepared by: N/A.”

Spot it: If the SDS is older than three years or has no history trail, schedule an update immediately.

3. Five Fast Ways to Catch Errors Early

1. Cross-Section Consistency Check Circle all numeric data (flash point, OEL, UN number) and verify they repeat accurately across relevant sections.

2. Use a Trusted Database Plug CAS numbers into CCOHS, ECHA, or NIOSH Pocket Guide. If classifications disagree, request clarification from the supplier.

3. Apply the “Why?” Test For every instruction (“Use dry chemical powder”), ask why. If the SDS can’t justify it, the advice might be generic filler.

4. Check the Clock Any SDS older than 36 months in Canada is suspect. Regulatory updates occur annually; three-year reviews are best practice.

5. **Leverage dangerous goods training & hazardous materials training A trained set of eyes catches what templates miss. Investing in staff education pays for itself in audit time saved.

4. Building Truly WHMIS-Compliant Safety Data Sheet Sections

• Standardized authoring software: Ensures headings and sequence match WHMIS/GHS word-for-word.

• Subject-matter review: A chemist verifies physical data; an industrial hygienist validates exposure controls; an EHS lawyer checks regulatory citations.

• Regular audits: Quarterly spot checks on high-hazard products; annual full-fleet reviews.

• Clear version control: Keep old versions, but mark them “superseded” and date-stamp the current one.

• Continuous training: Even seasoned professionals benefit from refresher courses that decode new hazard classes or transport amendments.

5. The Payoff: Safer Workplaces and Fewer Surprises

When every SDS tells the same, accurate story—from hazard pictograms to disposal methods—workers trust the document, managers trust the process, and regulators trust the facility. Catching errors isn’t about nit-picking; it’s about preventing the next fire, spill, or occupational illness.

If you’d like a proven framework for auditing and interpreting SDSs, explore Kalium Solutions’ SDS Interpretation Training. The program blends regulatory deep dives with hands-on exercises, equipping you to spot critical flaws in minutes and ensure every sheet you touch is WHMIS compliant.