Section 8 of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a critical component that provides essential information about exposure controls and personal protection measures for hazardous chemicals. This section serves as a comprehensive guide for employers and workers to understand safe exposure limits, implement appropriate control measures, and select proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with chemical substances. 

 

Section 8: Purpose and Legal Requirements 

Section 8 indicates the exposure limits, engineering controls, and personal protective measures that can be used to minimize worker exposure to hazardous chemicals. Under the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), chemical manufacturers, distributors, and importers are required to provide this information in a consistent format as part of the 16-section SDS structure. The information contained in this section must be presented in English and follow specific minimum requirements detailed in OSHA regulations. 

Key Components of Section 8 

i) Control Parameters 

Section 8 begins with control parameters that establish safe exposure thresholds for chemical substances. These parameters include several types of exposure limits: 

  • Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) 

OELs are fundamental values that indicate safe levels of human exposure to hazardous chemicals. The section must include OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs), and any other exposure limits used or recommended by the chemical manufacturer. These limits are established based on chemical properties, experimental studies, and toxicological data. 

  • Derived No-Effect Level (DNEL) 

DNEL represents the level of exposure to a substance to which humans should not be exposed. Manufacturers must calculate DNELs for chemicals used in quantities of 10 tonnes or more per year as part of their chemical safety assessment. For substances, DNELs should be harmonized by all registrants, while for mixtures, DNELs are reported for hazardous components. 

  • Predicted No-Effect Concentration (PNEC) 

PNEC indicates the concentration of a chemical below which no adverse effects are expected in an ecosystem. These values are conservative and predict concentrations at which chemicals will likely have no toxic effects. 

 

ii) Engineering Controls 

Engineering controls represent the preferred method for reducing chemical exposure and typically appear prominently in Section 8. These controls may include specific ventilation requirements, such as local exhaust ventilation or requirements to use chemicals only in enclosed systems. When materials have low PELs, the section may explicitly label “Ventilation requirements” and recommend specific machinery while discouraging inadequate alternatives. 

Common engineering controls found in SDSs include local exhaust and general ventilation systems. The section should specify appropriate engineering controls based on the product’s hazard classification. These controls are prioritized over personal protective equipment because they eliminate or reduce the hazard at its source. 

 

iii) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 

Section 8 provides detailed recommendations for personal protective measures to prevent illness or injury from chemical exposure. The personal protective equipment identified must appropriately address risks associated with the physical and chemical properties outlined in Section 9 of the SDS. 

  • Respiratory Protection 

If exposure limits are exceeded or irritation is experienced, approved respiratory protection should be worn. The section should specify the type of respirator required for particular hazards rather than providing general statements. Respirators should only be used when engineering controls have been shown to be infeasible or during interim periods when engineering controls are being installed. 

  • Hand Protection 

The type of gloves must be clearly specified based on the hazard of the substance and potential for contact. Requirements include specifying the glove material type, thickness, and minimum breakthrough time. Generic statements like “wearing gloves when handling” are insufficient, as no single glove material provides unlimited resistance to all chemical agents. 

  • Eye and Face Protection 

Chemical safety goggles or appropriate eye protection must be specified when eye hazards are present. The recommendations should be compatible with other required PPE; for example, full-face respirators may be recommended instead of half-mask respirators when eye protection is also required. 

  • Skin and Body Protection 

Suitable protective clothing must be specified, including materials appropriate for thermal hazards when applicable. For products with thermal hazards, materials such as flame-resistant or thermal insulation clothing should be identified. 

 

Why Section 8 of SDS is Crucial for Safety Measures 

Section 8 of Safety Data Sheets represents one of the most critical components for workplace chemical safety, serving as the primary guide for protecting workers from hazardous chemical exposures. This section provides essential information about exposure limits, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment that form the foundation of effective chemical safety programs. 

  • Workers’ Protection 

Section 8 serves as the bridge between hazard identification and practical risk management by providing specific guidance needed to implement effective protection strategies in workplace environments where hazardous chemicals are present. The section indicates exposure limits, engineering controls, and personal protective measures that can be used to minimize worker exposure, making it indispensable for maintaining safe working conditions. 

The importance of this section becomes evident when considering that it provides detailed guidance that helps minimize risks associated with the use of chemicals in the workplace and meets legal requirements related to health and environmental protection. Without proper implementation of Section 8 recommendations, workers face increased risks of chemical-related injuries, illnesses, and long-term health effects. 

  • Safe Exposure Thresholds 

Section 8 begins with control parameters that establish safe exposure thresholds through various types of exposure limits. These include OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs), and other occupational exposure limits that serve as fundamental safety benchmarks. 

Workplace Exposure Limits are critical safety guidelines designed to protect workers from the harmful effects of chemical exposure by specifying maximum concentrations of substances in air that workers can be exposed to without experiencing adverse health effects. These limits help prevent long-term diseases like cancer, respiratory issues, or organ damage caused by repeated chemical exposure, while also minimizing acute effects such as irritation, dizziness, or chemical burns. 

  • Environmental Protection 

The section also includes Derived No-Effect Level (DNEL) values, which represent the level of exposure to a substance to which humans should not be exposed. For chemicals used in quantities of 10 tons or more per year, manufacturers must calculate DNELs as part of their chemical safety assessment. Additionally, Predicted No-Effect Concentration (PNEC) values indicate concentrations below which no adverse effects are expected in ecosystems. 

  • Engineering Controls 

Engineering controls represent the preferred method for reducing chemical exposure and appear prominently in Section 8 because they eliminate or reduce hazards at their source. OSHA requires that workplaces implement engineering controls to minimize hazards to the extent feasible, making them the first line of defense against exposure. 

These controls may include specific ventilation requirements, such as local exhaust ventilation or requirements to use chemicals only in enclosed systems. For materials with low PELs, Section 8 explicitly recommends specific machinery while discouraging inadequate alternatives. Effective, well-designed engineering controls operate without interfering with worker productivity and make work easier to perform rather than more difficult. 

  • Personal Protective Equipment Guidelines 

Section 8 provides detailed recommendations for personal protective measures when engineering controls are insufficient or during interim periods when such controls are being installed. The personal protective equipment identified must appropriately address risks associated with the physical and chemical properties outlined in Section 9 of the SDS. 

  • Comprehensive PPE Specifications 

The section specifies requirements for various types of protective equipment: 

  • Respiratory Protection 
  • Hand Protection 
  • Eye and Face Protection 
  • Skin and Body Protection 

Personal Protective Equipment serves as the final line of defense when engineering and administrative controls are insufficient, helping prevent unnecessary workplace injuries, protecting employees from excessive chemical exposure, and ensuring regulatory compliance. 

  • Regulatory Compliance and Legal Requirements 

Section 8 information is mandated under OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, requiring chemical manufacturers, distributors, and importers to provide this information in a consistent format. Employers have a responsibility to ensure that SDSs for every hazardous chemical that workers may encounter are readily available. 

OSHA has clarified specific requirements for chemical ingredient disclosure, stating that if a chemical ingredient appears in Section 8, it must also be listed in Section 3, and ingredients listed in Section 3 only need to appear in Section 8 if they have established exposure limits. This interconnected approach ensures comprehensive hazard communication and proper implementation of safety measures. 

 

  • Prevention of Workplace Accidents and Incidents 

Proper implementation of Section 8 recommendations directly contributes to preventing workplace accidents and chemical-related incidents. Recent data from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board shows that chemical incidents continue to result in fatalities, serious injuries, and significant property damage, with 26 incidents across 15 states resulting in five fatalities, 17 serious injuries, and an estimated $700 million in property damage. 

The hierarchy of control principles embedded in Section 8 prioritizes elimination and engineering controls over administrative controls and PPE, providing the most effective approach to risk reduction. This systematic approach helps employers develop comprehensive safety programs specific to the hazards of the materials they use.  

 

  • Integration with Overall Safety Management 

Section 8 builds upon information provided in other SDS sections and connects directly to workplace safety practices. When working with chemical products, Section 8 is identified as one of the most important sections for daily operations, providing critical information on protective measures, ventilation requirements, and technical controls. 

 

Conclusion 

The section enables employers to develop programs for worker protection and training specific to chemical hazards, helping create safer work environments through the proper implementation of ventilation systems, protective barriers, and appropriate safety protocols. This integration ensures that protection measures align with specific risks posed by each chemical substance and support comprehensive workplace safety management. 

By providing specific, actionable guidance for exposure control and personal protection, Section 8 of SDS serves as an indispensable tool for maintaining workplace safety, ensuring regulatory compliance, and protecting worker health in environments where hazardous chemicals are present.