Safety Data Sheets
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are written by manufacturers to make information related to the hazards and safe use of their products available. These documents must be written in a way that conforms with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) so that the relative hazard of different materials, substances, compounds, and products can be assessed. The United States allows for some information to be left-off of these documents, so if you can obtain the SDS from a country within the EU, you’ll be able to get slightly more information. You can contact any product manufacturer or the re-seller through whom you purchased the product and obtain this information.
Obtaining Safety Data Sheets
For any product you are using, first attempt to obtain the SDS from the manufacturer (often on their website) to get the current version. Be sure to find the SDS for the exact product you are using; many companies make several versions of a product type (latex paints, adhesives), each product will each have its own SDS.
Electronic copies of Safety Data Sheets for chemical substances commonly used at the GSD are saved to a folder on the GSD Resources Sharepoint.
Physical copies of material Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are also available for all materials commonly encountered within the Fabrication Lab. Binders are located throughout the facility, containing the SDS for materials likely to be encountered in that space.
- A cabinet with binder containing SDS is available 24/7 in the Project Room (Gund L31).
- A binder containing SDS for the materials used in maintaining the CNC router and Zund is located in Gund L33.
- A binder containing SDS for 3D printing materials is in the 3D TA office (Gund L40C).
- A binder containing SDS for all materials sold in the Lab Store is located therein (Gund L43)
- In the spray room (Gund 518), there is a binder containing SDS for products commonly used therein.
Harvard University Environmental Health and Safety Department also provides a database of Safety Data Sheets that may include the necessary information.
New Material
If you are introducing a new material to the Fabrication Lab space, consult with Fabrication Lab staff and provide the corresponding Safety Data Sheet (SDS). This information should be available upon request from product manufacturers or the vendor through whom it was purchased.