SDS section 7 of 16
SDS Section 7: Handling and storage
Section 7 explains how to handle the product safely and how to store it. It covers precautions during use (ventilation, grounding, avoiding contact), hygiene practices such as washing hands, and the conditions for safe storage: container type, temperature, location and which other chemicals it must be kept away from. It is the main source for storage-area design and for chemical segregation.
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What OSHA requires in Section 7
OSHA enforces the content of Section 7 under the Hazard Communication Standard.
Appendix D requires Section 7 to contain:
- Precautions for safe handling, including recommendations on handling incompatible chemicals, minimizing the release of the chemical into the environment, and general hygiene practices (for example no eating, drinking or smoking in work areas, and washing after handling).
- Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities. This covers storage temperature, container materials, ventilation and separation from other substances.
GHS Annex 4 and international differences
GHS Annex 4 splits this section into precautions for safe handling and conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities. It asks for advice that prevents handling of incompatible materials and minimizes release to the environment, calls general hygiene advice good practice, and for storage covers how to avoid explosive atmospheres, ignition sources and incompatible materials, plus ventilation, storage design, quantity limits and packaging compatibility where relevant.
The EU format adds a third heading for specific end uses, which is useful for industrial products with distinct application advice. For storage classification systems used in some countries, check how your jurisdiction categorizes the product; our guide on chemical storage compatibility explains the principle of segregation.
What to look for and red flags
What to look for
- Incompatibilities. Named substances or classes to keep apart (acids from bases, oxidizers from fuels). Cross-check with Section 10.
- Storage conditions. Temperature limits, light sensitivity, moisture protection, inert gas blanketing and shelf life.
- Container material. Some products attack certain metals or plastics.
- Grounding and bonding instructions for flammable liquid transfers.
- Hygiene rules that tell you what to do before breaks and at the end of the shift.
Red flags
- "Store in a cool, dry place" as the only storage advice for a reactive or peroxide-forming product.
- No list of incompatible materials for a product that Section 10 says reacts violently with something.
- No temperature or time limit for materials that degrade or form hazardous by-products.
- Storage advice that contradicts the regulations for your site, for example storing a flammable liquid in a standard cabinet.
Worked example: typical fields
An illustrative layout. See the handling and storage section of the 1-butanol page for a sourced example.
- Safe handling
- Use in a well-ventilated area or with local exhaust; ground and bond containers during transfer; avoid contact with skin and eyes
- Hygiene
- Wash hands after handling; do not eat, drink or smoke where the product is used; remove contaminated clothing before entering eating areas
- Storage conditions
- Keep container tightly closed; store in a cool, ventilated place away from heat and ignition sources
- Incompatible materials
- Named classes, for example strong oxidizing agents, strong acids
See how this looks on a real page: 1-butanol safety data, handling and storage section. Every chemical page uses these 16 sections with the same anchors, so you can compare any substance.
Common mistakes
- Storing by alphabet. Alphabetical shelving puts incompatible chemicals next to each other. Segregate by hazard class first.
- Decanting into unlabeled containers. Section 7 assumes the original packaging. Secondary containers need labels; see our guide.
- Ignoring shelf life. Some chemicals form peroxides or degrade over time. Date containers on receipt and when first opened.
- Overfilling a cabinet. Cabinets are designed for limited volumes; the fire code in your location may impose limits.
- Skipping hygiene rules. Hand washing and no-food rules prevent ingestion exposure that goes unnoticed.
Frequently asked questions
What does Section 7 of an SDS cover?
Section 7 covers precautions for safe handling (including hygiene and handling of incompatible chemicals) and conditions for safe storage (including incompatibilities, temperature and container advice).
How do I know which chemicals can be stored together?
Look at the incompatible materials in Sections 7 and 10 of each SDS and segregate by hazard class. Never assume two chemicals are compatible because they are both liquids or both on the same shelf.
Do I need a special cabinet for flammable liquids?
Flammable liquids are often stored in approved flammable storage cabinets above certain quantities, but the quantity limits and rules come from fire codes and OSHA rules in your location, not from the SDS alone.
Why does the SDS mention hygiene practices?
Hand-to-mouth transfer is a real route of exposure. Basic hygiene rules reduce ingestion and skin contact exposure, especially with toxic or sensitizing products.