SDS section 6 of 16
SDS Section 6: Accidental release measures
Section 6 tells you what to do when the product leaks or spills. It covers the protective measures people need before they approach the spill, the emergency steps to take, and the methods and materials for containing and cleaning up the release, including how to prevent it from reaching drains and waterways. It is the section that spill kits and spill procedures should be built from.
Last updated by SDS Lookup
What OSHA requires in Section 6
OSHA enforces the content of Section 6 under the Hazard Communication Standard.
Appendix D requires Section 6 to contain:
- Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures. This covers who should stay clear, ventilation, ignition source control and the PPE required for response.
- Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up. This includes the absorbent to use, whether to neutralize, how to collect the waste, and how to avoid spreading the material.
Appendix D does not list environmental precautions, because environmental protection is regulated by other agencies. Good sheets still say how to keep the material out of drains and waterways, and distinguish between small and large releases where the response differs.
GHS Annex 4 and international differences
GHS Annex 4 uses three sub-headings: personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures; environmental precautions; and methods and materials for containment and cleaning up. OSHA's Appendix D omits the environmental heading, but good sheets still treat it separately. GHS Annex 4 also asks for advice for emergency responders, such as suitable fabric for protective clothing, and for other personnel, such as when to evacuate the area, and for responses to large and small spills to be distinguished where the volume matters.
The EU format additionally cross-references Sections 8 and 13 for PPE and disposal, which is a useful habit for any author. See the REACH Annex II page for the structure.
What to look for and red flags
What to look for
- The difference between a small and a large spill. A wipe-up with absorbent pads is not the same as an evacuation.
- Ignition control. For flammables, the sheet should tell you to remove ignition sources and use non-sparking tools.
- Absorbent compatibility. Some oxidizers react with combustible absorbents such as sawdust, so the sheet should specify an inert material.
- Reporting duties. Some spills must be reported to authorities above a threshold quantity; see Section 15.
Red flags
- "Absorb and dispose of in accordance with regulations" and nothing more for a hazardous liquid.
- No distinction between spills in a laboratory and a bulk release from a tank.
- No PPE guidance for responders, or PPE that is lighter than the PPE for routine handling in Section 8.
- An environmental statement ("do not allow to enter drains") with no hint about how to stop it from doing so.
Worked example: typical fields
An illustrative layout. See the accidental release section of the ethanol page for a sourced example; replace it with your supplier's wording before writing a procedure.
- Personal precautions
- Keep people away and upwind; eliminate ignition sources; ensure adequate ventilation; wear gloves, eye protection and respiratory protection as listed in Section 8
- Environmental precautions
- Prevent entry into drains and watercourses; inform authorities if a large spill reaches water
- Containment
- Stop the leak if safe; dike the area with inert absorbent
- Clean-up
- Absorb with inert material, collect in suitable closed containers, label, and dispose of per Section 13
See how this looks on a real page: ethanol safety data, accidental release measures section. Every chemical page uses these 16 sections with the same anchors, so you can compare any substance.
Common mistakes
- Responding before protecting yourself. The most common injury in a spill is to the person who tries to help. Put on the PPE first.
- Stocking a generic spill kit. The kit should match your inventory: acid, base, solvent and oxidizer spills call for different materials.
- Mopping a flammable spill in an ignition-rich area. Ventilation and ignition control come first.
- Washing the spill down the drain. Unless the sheet explicitly allows it, treat drain disposal as a violation risk.
- Forgetting the waste. Used absorbent is often itself hazardous waste and needs the disposal route described in Section 13.
Frequently asked questions
What does Section 6 of an SDS tell you?
Section 6 describes how to respond to a spill or leak: the precautions and protective equipment needed by people responding, emergency procedures, environmental precautions, and the methods and materials to contain and clean up the release.
Can I use any absorbent for a chemical spill?
No. The absorbent must be compatible with the chemical. Some oxidizers react with organic absorbents, and some acids or bases need neutralizing agents. Follow Section 6 and your spill-response plan.
Is a small spill treated differently from a large one?
Often yes. Many sheets separate small spills that trained staff can clean up from large releases that require evacuation and professional responders.
Do I have to report a chemical spill?
It depends on the substance, the quantity and the place. Some spills must be reported to authorities. Section 15 of the SDS may mention reporting thresholds, and your site emergency plan should list the requirements that apply to you.