Toolbox talk · Health hazards
Hazard communication and SDS
Every day we work with products that can hurt us: concrete additives, solvents, adhesives, fuel, sealers, cleaners. The label and the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) tell you what's in it, how it can hurt you, and what to do if something goes wrong. Before you open a container this week, know what you're handling.
Published 2026-10-23
Key points
- 1Read the label before you use a product. Look for the signal word (Danger or Warning), the pictograms, and the precautions.
- 2Know where the SDS binder or SDS app is on this job. If you can't find the SDS for a product, ask before you use it.
- 3Check the SDS for the PPE you need: gloves, goggles, face shield, or respirator. Wear it the whole time you handle the product.
- 4Never pour a chemical into an unlabeled container, like a water bottle or a bucket. If you transfer it, label the new container with the product name and hazards.
- 5Keep lids closed, and don't mix products unless the instructions say so. Some mixes, like bleach and ammonia, make toxic gas.
- 6Know the first aid section of the SDS and where the eyewash and water are. If a chemical gets on your skin or in your eyes, rinse right away and tell the foreman.
- 7If a label is torn, faded, or missing, report it so it can be replaced. Don't guess what's inside.
Talk it over
- What chemical products are we using on this job right now, and which one worries you the most?
- Where are the SDSs kept on this site, and has anyone actually opened one this month?
- Have you seen any unlabeled containers or chemicals stored wrong around here? What should we do about them?
Remember
If you don't know what it is, don't use it: read the label, check the SDS, and ask.
Also in the other language: Comunicación de riesgos y hojas SDS
Official sources
Print it with a sign-in sheet
Pro prints every talk on your letterhead with an attendance sheet, records who attended, and emails your foremen this week's talk every Monday.
General information, not legal advice. Templates and examples should be reviewed by a competent person before use. HardHat Binder is not affiliated with or endorsed by OSHA.