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Blood Bank

Safety Data Sheets

The Safety Data Sheet (SDS), formerly known as the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), is the backbone of the laboratory’s chemical safety program. Mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), the SDS provides comprehensive information about a chemical substance or mixture used in the workplace. The Hazard Communication Standard is often referred to as the “Right to Understand” law, emphasizing that employees must not only know what chemicals are present but also understand the specific hazards associated with them. In Blood Bank, every reagent (e.g., Antisera, Enhancement Media), chemical (e.g., Liquid Nitrogen, Isopropyl Alcohol), and disinfectant (e.g., Sodium Hypochlorite) must have a corresponding SDS readily available to all personnel

The Globally Harmonized System (GHS)

Historically, safety sheets varied in format between countries and manufacturers. The US adopted the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) to standardize this information. The most significant change under GHS was the transition to a strictly defined 16-section format for the SDS. This ensures that a laboratory scientist knows exactly where to look for specific information (e.g., First Aid or Fire Fighting measures) regardless of the chemical manufacturer

Structure of the SDS (The 16 Sections)

The 16 sections are organized in a specific order of importance, prioritizing the needs of emergency responders and exposed workers in the initial sections

Sections 1–8: Emergency & General Information

These sections are the most frequently accessed by laboratory personnel during daily operations or immediate emergencies

  • Section 1: Identification: Product identifier (name), manufacturer contact info, and recommended use
  • Section 2: Hazard(s) Identification: This is the most critical section for quick assessment. It includes:
    • Signal Word: “Danger” (severe hazard) or “Warning” (less severe hazard)
    • Hazard Statements: Phrases describing the nature of the hazard (e.g., “Causes severe skin burns”)
    • Pictograms: Standardized red-diamond symbols (e.g., Flame, Skull and Crossbones, Corrosion)
  • Section 3: Composition/Information on Ingredients: Lists chemical ingredients and their concentrations. This is vital for determining if a specific component (like a preservative) is the cause of an allergic reaction
  • Section 4: First-Aid Measures: Describes initial care required for untrained responders. It breaks down instructions by route of exposure (inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion). Example “Flush eyes with water for 15 minutes.”
  • Section 5: Fire-Fighting Measures: Specifies suitable extinguishing media (e.g., “Do not use water jet”) and identifying hazards arising from the chemical burning
  • Section 6: Accidental Release Measures: Instructions for containment and cleanup of spills (e.g., “Use non-sparking tools,” “Neutralize with acid”)
  • Section 7: Handling and Storage: Precautions for safe handling and conditions for safe storage, including incompatibilities (e.g., “Store away from oxidizers”)
  • Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Lists OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) and recommends specific PPE (e.g., “Wear butyl rubber gloves,” “Use in a fume hood”)

Sections 9–11 & 16: Technical & Scientific Information

These sections are utilized for evaluating stability, reactivity, and long-term health risks

  • Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties: Appearance, odor, pH, flash point, and boiling point
  • Section 10: Stability and Reactivity: Describes the chemical stability and the possibility of hazardous reactions. Blood Bank Relevance This section would warn that Sodium Azide (a preservative in reagents) reacts with lead and copper plumbing to form explosive metal azides
  • Section 11: Toxicological Information: Detailed information on health effects, usually derived from animal testing (LD50 values) and listing carcinogenicity
  • Section 16: Other Information: Date of preparation or last revision. This ensures the lab is using the most current safety data

Sections 12–15: Non-Mandatory Sections

OSHA requires these headers to remain consistent with the GHS, but does not enforce the content as it falls under other agencies (EPA, DOT)

  • Section 12: Ecological Information (environmental impact)
  • Section 13: Disposal Considerations
  • Section 14: Transport Information (DOT shipping names)
  • Section 15: Regulatory Information

Specific Relevance to Blood Bank Reagents

While Blood Banks deal primarily with biological hazards (blood), the chemical hazards presented by commercial reagents are significant and require careful SDS review

  • Sodium Azide: Almost all commercial antisera (Anti-A, Anti-B, Anti-D) contain 0.1% sodium azide as a bacteriostatic preservative. The SDS identifies this as acutely toxic if ingested and reactive with heavy metals. Safe practice dictates flushing sinks with copious amounts of water after disposal to prevent plumbing explosions
  • Bovine Albumin: Found in enhancement media. The SDS will identify potential sensitization/allergic hazards
  • Liquid Nitrogen: Used for frozen cell storage. The SDS highlights two major hazards: Asphyxiation (displaces oxygen) and Extreme Cold (cryogenic burns). This dictates the need for oxygen monitors and cryogenic PPE
  • Disinfectants: Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) SDS warns against mixing with ammonia (found in glass cleaners), which releases toxic chloramine gas

Accessibility & Labeling Requirements

The mere existence of an SDS is insufficient; the ability of the employee to find it and use it is the regulatory standard

  • Accessibility: SDSs must be readily accessible to employees during their work shift. They cannot be locked in an office or stored solely on a computer that requires a password the employee does not know. If electronic access is used, a backup system (paper or phone service) must be available in case of power/network failure
  • Secondary Container Labeling: When a chemical is transferred from its original shipping container to a secondary container (e.g., pouring alcohol into a small beaker for bench use), that secondary container must be labeled. The label must include the Product Identifier and specific Hazard Information (words, pictures, or symbols) that match the SDS. ” Mystery fluids” in beakers are a major OSHA violation
  • Training: Employees must be trained on how to read an SDS and where to find them at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new physical or health hazard is introduced into their work area