Compliance Focus: Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

To support your ongoing compliance efforts, the Illinois Chiropractic Society is highlighting key requirements from the OSHA Standards. This article is part of ICS’s monthly initiative to help chiropractic physicians reduce compliance risks and safeguard their practices. The requirement is actively tracked in Statusfi, the free compliance dashboard for ICS members at my.statusfidashboard.com.

One such item is maintaining up-to-date Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each chemical used in the office, including cleaning products, disinfectants, and other potentially hazardous materials.

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What It Is:

OSHA regulations require healthcare offices to maintain Safety Data Sheets for all hazardous chemicals kept on-site. These sheets must detail important safety information, including proper handling, storage, and what to do in case of exposure. SDSs must be readily accessible to all employees during each work shift, without the need to ask a supervisor.

This applies to any chemical that presents a physical or health hazard, such as disinfectants, cleaning agents, and x-ray processing chemicals. Keeping SDSs up to date and easily available is a foundational requirement of both OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard and general workplace safety protocols.

Why It Matters:

Failure to maintain or provide access to SDSs can lead to OSHA citations and fines. More critically, it may result in injury by delaying emergency response if an employee is exposed to a hazardous chemical and does not have immediate access to handling instructions.

Lack of compliance could also increase liability exposure in the event of a workplace injury, and it sends a poor message about office safety culture—something patients and staff increasingly notice and value.

What to Check:

• ✅ Collect SDSs for every cleaning, allergenic, or hazardous chemical in your office.
• ✅ Confirm each SDS is current and complete with all 16 required sections.
• ✅ Store SDSs in a centralized, clearly labeled binder or digital folder accessible to all staff.
• ✅ Train employees on where to find SDSs and how to use them in case of exposure.
• ✅ Use available resources like OSHA’s SDS Brief and Chemical Safety’s SDS Search.

Where It’s Tracked in Statusfi:

Tracked in: Federal > OSHA > Safety Data Sheets

Log in at my.statusfidashboard.com to upload documentation and mark this item complete.

Next Steps:

If you have only a few chemicals in the office, you may be able to complete this task in under 30 minutes. For larger offices or those with multiple cleaning and diagnostic products, consider assigning the review to your safety officer or a staff member familiar with OSHA standards.

Maintaining easy access to SDSs is not only a compliance requirement, but also a crucial part of creating a safe and informed workplace.