Which of the Following Statements Are True Regarding SDSs and Labels?
True statements: OSHA HazCom labels must include a product identifier, signal word, pictograms, hazard statements, precautionary statements, and supplier information. Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are standardized 16-section documents that must be readily accessible to employees during every work shift.
The answer
Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom, 29 CFR 1910.1200), aligned with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), the true statements about SDSs and labels are:
- Container labels must contain six required elements: (1) product identifier, (2) signal word, (3) hazard pictogram(s), (4) hazard statement(s), (5) precautionary statement(s), and (6) supplier/manufacturer name, address, and phone number.
- Safety Data Sheets follow a standardized 16-section format in a set order, so information is always found in the same place.
- SDSs must be readily accessible to employees in their work area during every work shift, at no cost and without barriers.
- Both labels and SDSs communicate chemical hazards — the label is the quick at-a-glance warning; the SDS is the detailed reference document.
The 6 label elements vs. the 16 SDS sections
The content gap most study pages miss is showing how the label and the SDS work together. The label is the short summary that stays on the container; the SDS is the full 16-section dossier kept on file. The signal word on a label is only ever "Danger" (more severe) or "Warning" (less severe) — never both on the same hazard.
The 16 SDS sections, in order, are: (1) Identification, (2) Hazard identification, (3) Composition/ingredients, (4) First-aid measures, (5) Fire-fighting measures, (6) Accidental release measures, (7) Handling and storage, (8) Exposure controls/PPE, (9) Physical and chemical properties, (10) Stability and reactivity, (11) Toxicological information, (12) Ecological information, (13) Disposal, (14) Transport, (15) Regulatory information, and (16) Other information. (Sections 12–15 are included for consistency but are not enforced by OSHA.)
Why the false statements are wrong
- "SDSs can be locked in a supervisor's office and shown on request only" — false. They must be readily accessible to workers during their shift, not gated behind a request or a locked door.
- "A label only needs the chemical name" — false. The product identifier alone is not enough; all six elements are required on the shipped container label.
- "There is no standard order to an SDS" — false. The 16-section order is mandatory and standardized so responders can find critical data fast.
- "Employers can charge employees to view the SDS" — false. Access must be free.
- "A signal word can be both Danger and Warning" — false. Only one signal word applies, reflecting the most severe hazard.
The bigger picture
The label and the SDS are two halves of one system: the label gives a worker an immediate, standardized warning at the point of use, while the SDS provides the depth needed for training, spill response, medical treatment, and safe storage. Employers must keep an SDS for every hazardous chemical on site, ensure labels stay legible and are not removed or defaced, and train employees to read both. Knowing the 6 label elements and the 16 SDS sections — and that SDSs must be immediately available — is the core of any HazCom exam answer.
| 1 | Product identifier | Section 1 — Identification |
| 2 | Signal word (Danger or Warning) | Section 2 — Hazard identification |
| 3 | Hazard pictogram(s) | Section 2 — Hazard identification |
| 4 | Hazard statement(s) | Section 2 — Hazard identification |
| 5 | Precautionary statement(s) | Sections 4-8 — First aid, handling, PPE |
| 6 | Supplier name, address, phone | Section 1 — Identification |
Frequently asked
What are the required elements of an OSHA HazCom label?
An OSHA HazCom label must include six elements: the product identifier, a signal word (Danger or Warning), hazard pictogram(s), hazard statement(s), precautionary statement(s), and the name, address, and telephone number of the manufacturer or supplier.
How many sections are in a Safety Data Sheet?
A Safety Data Sheet has 16 standardized sections in a fixed order, covering identification, hazards, composition, first aid, firefighting, accidental release, handling, exposure controls, physical properties, stability, toxicology, and more. The uniform format lets users find information quickly.
What is the difference between an SDS and a label?
A label is the brief, at-a-glance warning attached to the container, showing key hazards and precautions. An SDS is the detailed 16-section reference document kept on file that provides in-depth information for training, emergency response, and safe handling.
Where must SDSs be kept in the workplace?
SDSs must be readily accessible to employees in their work area during each work shift, at no cost. They can be paper or electronic, but access cannot be blocked by a locked office, a request-only policy, or any other barrier.