SDS Management Software for Government and Public Sector Organizations

Government agencies, such as federal departments, state agencies, municipal operations, public schools, correctional facilities, military installations, public works departments, handle a wider range of hazardous chemicals than most people realize. Chemical management, water treatment chemicals, laboratory chemicals, janitorial supplies, fleet vehicle chemicals, and specialty industry chemicals must all be managed via an SDS system according to state and federal laws.

CloudSDS solution is customized for government EH&S coordinators and government safety officers to provide an efficient cloud SDS management solution which can cater to the distinct requirements of the public sector environment.

23M+ SDS in Our Library

40+ Language Support

Secure & Cloud Based

Construction worker in a hard hat holds a tablet while a crane lifts a brick at a building site.

Regulatory requirements governing chemical safety in the public sector

There are certain regulations related to chemical safety that apply to the public sector environment. Requirements include the following options:

OSHA standards (federal agencies – 29 CFR 1960)

Federal executive agencies must comply with OSHA requirements under Executive Order 12196 and 29 CFR 1960, maintaining HazCom programs and providing SDS access to employees exposed to hazardous chemicals.

State OSHA plan (state & municipal agencies)

State and local government employees in OSHA State Plan states follow state HazCom standards that are at least as protective as federal rules. Many non-State Plan states have similar requirements.

Right-to-know laws

Many states have adopted right-to-know laws that require the disclosure of information about chemicals used in their operations to employees or communities in the form of SDSs, and these regulations are more stringent than federal OSHA regulations.

EPCRA/SARA tier III

Any government entity that stores hazardous chemicals exceeding the threshold planning quantity must report this information through Tier III forms to the state and local emergency planning committee, and the SDS is key to this reporting process.

Chemical regulation of the EPA for government entities

All government entities such as POTW and water treatment plant must comply with EPA chemical management regulations including RMP.

DOT hazardous materials regulations

Government agencies transporting hazardous chemicals, fuels, samples, or waste must comply with DOT regulations for classification, packaging, labeling, shipping, and emergency response.

The chemical categories in a typical government facility 

Sodium hypochlorite
CORROSIVE / OXIDIZER · GHS05, GHS03
Quaternary ammonium compounds
CORROSIVE / IRRITANT · GHS05, GHS07
Isopropyl alcohol / Ethanol
FLAMMABLE · GHS02
Ammonium hydroxide (ammonia solution)
CORROSIVE / TOXIC · GHS05, GHS04

HOW CLOUDSDS FITS

Flashpoint and NFPA 30 storage-class data pull directly onto the SDS
record, so EHS can group solvent storage by compatibility without
cross-referencing a second source.

Search Free SDS
Sodium hypochlorite
CORROSIVE / OXIDIZER · GHS05, GHS03
Glutaraldehyde
TOXIC / CORROSIVE / SENSITIZER · GHS06, GHS05, GHS08
Formaldehyde
TOXIC / CARCINOGEN · GHS06, GHS08, GHS09
Peracetic acid
CORROSIVE / OXIDIZER · GHS05, GHS03

HOW CLOUDSDS FITS

Flashpoint and NFPA 30 storage-class data pull directly onto the SDS
record, so EHS can group solvent storage by compatibility without
cross-referencing a second source.

Search Free SDS
Chlorine gas
TOXIC / CORROSIVE · GHS06, GHS05, GHS04
Sulfur dioxide
TOXIC / CORROSIVE · GHS04, GHS05, GHS06
Anhydrous ammonia
TOXIC / CORROSIVE · GHS04, GHS05, GHS06
Fluorosilicic acid
CORROSIVE / TOXIC · GHS05, GHS06

HOW CLOUDSDS FITS

Flashpoint and NFPA 30 storage-class data pull directly onto the SDS
record, so EHS can group solvent storage by compatibility without
cross-referencing a second source.

Search Free SDS
Methanol / Ethanol / Acetone
FLAMMABLE · GHS02
Nitric acid / Sulfuric acid / Hydrochloric acid
CORROSIVE / OXIDIZER · GHS05, GHS03
Hydrogen peroxide (high concentration)
OXIDIZER · GHS03
Glutaraldehyde / Formaldehyde
TOXIC / CORROSIVE / CARCINOGEN · GHS06, GHS05, GHS08, GHS09

HOW CLOUDSDS FITS

Flashpoint and NFPA 30 storage-class data pull directly onto the SDS
record, so EHS can group solvent storage by compatibility without
cross-referencing a second source.

Search Free SDS

Manufacturing Compliance Reading

Guide

Health & Safety in Manufacturing: The Complete Guide

Regulatory

TSCA List of Chemicals: What Manufacturers Track

Regulatory

PFAS Regulations and Industrial Supply Chains

What government EHS teams use CloudSDS for

Public works & maintenance

SDS tracking for all chemicals used in road maintenance, de-icing, painting, solvents, and vehicle maintenance in the municipality’s fleet.

Water/wastewater treatment plants

The chemicals involved with the chlorine, fluoride, coagulants, and water treatment chemicals will need to have their SDS up to date in order to meet OSHA requirements.

Federal/state labs & research facilities

Chemicals used in analysis and research that will need SDS management and inventory.

Correctional facilities

Cleaning compounds, food chemicals, and other chemicals used in correctional environments that will need SDS documentation for the custodial staff and maintenance personnel.

Public schools & universities

See the Education section; educational facilities operated by the government are covered by the same OSHA and right-to-know guidelines.

Emergency planning support

EPCRA Tier II reporting, LEPC coordination and emergency planning all rely on up-to-date SDS and chemical inventory information.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are federal government agencies required to follow OSHA HazCom?

    Absolutely, in compliance with Executive Order 12196 and 29 CFR Part 1960, agencies in the executive branch of the federal government have to develop and implement “an occupational safety and health program at least as effective as” those of private companies under OSHA. This also involves providing SDS documentation for all hazardous chemicals.

  • Are state and local government workers covered by OSHA HazCom?

    Dependence is based on the state. When states have OSHA-approved state plans (22 states and 2 territories for both private and public sectors), state and local government employees will be governed by the state’s OSHA standards. Where there is no OSHA-approved state plan in states regulated by federal OSHA, federal OSHA will not cover such state and local government workers, but the state law will.

  • How does EPCRA Tier II reporting relate to SDS management?

    As per EPCRA Section 312, facilities that have hazardous chemicals in excess of threshold planning quantities should prepare Tier II inventory once a year and submit it to the State Emergency Response Commission, Local Emergency Planning Committee, and the local fire department. This is a list that should provide information on the chemical name, CAS number, quantity, location, and hazards associated with the chemical, which can be easily found on SDS sheets.

  • Can CloudSDS support multi-department government organizations with different SDS needs?

    Absolutely, CloudSDS utilizes organizational hierarchies and role-based access control measures which permit separate departments or agencies to have their own SDS repositories within the same organizational account. The public works department, laboratory, or facility management would all be able to see only those documents applicable to their work.