SDS section 8 of 16
SDS Section 8: Exposure controls / personal protection
Section 8 tells you how to keep exposure low and what to wear. It lists occupational exposure limits (such as OSHA PELs and ACGIH TLVs), the engineering controls such as ventilation that should be in place, and the personal protective equipment for eyes, skin, hands and breathing. If you are asking which gloves or respirator to use, this is the section to read first.
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What OSHA requires in Section 8
OSHA enforces the content of Section 8 under the Hazard Communication Standard.
Appendix D requires Section 8 to contain:
- For all ingredients listed in Section 3, the OSHA permissible exposure limits (PELs), ACGIH threshold limit values (TLVs), and any other exposure limit or range used or recommended by the chemical manufacturer, importer or employer preparing the SDS, where available.
- Appropriate engineering controls, for example local exhaust ventilation or enclosure.
- Individual protection measures, such as personal protective equipment (PPE): eye and face protection, skin and body protection including gloves, and respiratory protection.
Section 8 is a recommendation from the supplier; the employer is still responsible for the hazard assessment and PPE selection required elsewhere in OSHA's rules. If you are new to the abbreviations, our guide to reading exposure limits explains PEL, REL, TLV, STEL, Ceiling and IDLH, and the glossary has pages on the PEL and related terms.
GHS Annex 4 and international differences
GHS Annex 4 divides the section into control parameters (occupational exposure limits and biological limit values, where available), appropriate engineering controls, and individual protection measures such as PPE. It recommends that the supplier specify the type of equipment (for example glove material and breakthrough time or respirator type) and not only say "wear gloves". Exposure limit values differ by country; an EU sheet may cite national or EU occupational exposure limits and DNELs and PNECs from the chemical safety assessment, while a US sheet cites OSHA and ACGIH values.
Because the legal limit depends on the jurisdiction where the work happens, always check which limit applies at your site and do not assume a limit printed on a foreign sheet applies to you.
What to look for and red flags
What to look for
- The limits and their basis: a legal limit (PEL) or a recommendation (TLV, REL), the averaging time (8-hour TWA, 15-minute STEL, Ceiling) and any "skin" notation indicating that skin absorption adds to exposure.
- Specific glove materials and, where given, breakthrough time and thickness. See choosing chemical-resistant gloves.
- Respirator type and what it is rated for, and whether it applies only above a stated concentration.
- Engineering controls first. PPE is the last line of defense, not the first.
- Eye and face protection appropriate to the hazard: splash goggles versus safety glasses, face shield for corrosives.
Red flags
- "Wear suitable gloves" without a material.
- "No exposure limits established" for a substance with well-known limits in public databases.
- Respirator advice that omits fit testing or cartridge type.
- PPE recommendations that are weaker than the severity in Section 2 would suggest.
Worked example: typical fields
An illustrative layout. For public exposure-limit data compiled with sources, see the exposure controls section of the methanol page.
- Exposure limits
- Agency, limit type (TWA, STEL, Ceiling), numeric value and unit, and any skin notation
- Engineering controls
- Local exhaust ventilation at point of release; general ventilation as backup
- Eye / face
- Chemical splash goggles; face shield if splash risk is high
- Skin / hands
- Named glove material with thickness and breakthrough time; protective clothing
- Respiratory
- Respirator and cartridge type for the stated conditions
- Hygiene measures
- Eyewash and safety shower nearby; wash after handling
See how this looks on a real page: methanol safety data, exposure controls / personal protection section. Every chemical page uses these 16 sections with the same anchors, so you can compare any substance.
Common mistakes
- Treating the exposure limit as a safe line. Staying under a limit does not guarantee no effects, particularly for sensitive people or for substances with skin absorption.
- Choosing gloves by color or habit. Nitrile, latex, neoprene and butyl each resist different chemicals. Use the material the sheet names.
- Relying on a dust mask for vapors. A nuisance dust mask does not protect against gases and vapors.
- Skipping fit testing. A respirator that does not seal does not protect.
- Forgetting mixtures. A mixture can have several limits. Check the limit for each relevant ingredient listed in Section 3.
Frequently asked questions
What gloves should I use for a chemical?
Check Section 8 of the SDS for the recommended glove material, thickness and breakthrough time. Chemical resistance varies by material and by chemical, so there is no single glove for everything.
What is the difference between a PEL and a TLV?
A PEL (permissible exposure limit) is a legally enforceable OSHA limit. A TLV (threshold limit value) is a guideline published by ACGIH and is not legally binding on its own, although some jurisdictions adopt it.
What does the skin notation mean?
A skin notation means that absorption through the skin can contribute significantly to the overall exposure, so air monitoring alone does not tell the whole story. Use gloves and protective clothing.
Is PPE enough to control exposure?
PPE is the last line of defense in the hierarchy of controls. Elimination, substitution, engineering controls and administrative controls should come first, and the SDS lists engineering controls for that reason.