Summary
In short
- A data sheet availability check is an inspection used in KnowSafe that checks that a data sheet can actually be found in the area, by the people working there, on any shift. It is built against WHMIS 2015, OSHA 1910.1200(g)(8) and forms part of the Chemical Safety and WHMIS programme.
- Run quarterly per area. Carried out by the area owner.
- The template holds 43 fields across 4 sections.
- Scoring is access and coverage, where high is good.
- OSHA 1910.1200 is hazard communication. The United States right to know standard. Labels, safety data sheets and worker training on chemical hazards.
- It connects to the rest of the library: links Safety Data Sheet and Chemical Register.
What it is
What it is
What is a data sheet availability check?
A data sheet availability check is an inspection used in KnowSafe that checks that a data sheet can actually be found in the area, by the people working there, on any shift. It is built against WHMIS 2015, OSHA 1910.1200(g)(8) and forms part of the Chemical Safety and WHMIS programme.
When is a data sheet availability check completed?
A data sheet availability check is completed on the inspection frequency set in your programme, and again after any change to the asset or area. Run quarterly per area.
When to use it
When to use it, and when not to
This inspection is one step in a larger programme. Using it for work that belongs to a neighbouring template produces records that are hard to report on later.
Use it for
- The event or activity this inspection covers has occurred, or is about to
- A new record is needed; each one gets its own ID in the form SDA-2026-000
- You are running the Chemical Safety and WHMIS programme and this is one of its steps
- A linked record needs this one to exist: links safety data sheet and chemical register
Not for
- Safety Data Sheet, which holds the full sixteen section safety data sheet for one substance, in the order fixed by GHS and adopted by WHMIS 2015 and OSHA 1910.1200.
- Workplace Label Record, which holds the workplace label content for a product that has left its original container.
- Safety Data Sheet Request, which raised by anybody who finds a product with no sheet, an out of date sheet or one they cannot read.
- Anything outside KnowSafe, which belongs in the workspace that owns that process
Standards
What it is built against
OSHA 1910.1200Hazard communication
The United States right to know standard. Labels, safety data sheets and worker training on chemical hazards.
OSHAOccupational Safety and Health Administration
The United States workplace safety regulator. Its standards are law where they apply.
WHMIS 2015Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
Canada's chemical hazard communication system, aligned to GHS. Sixteen section data sheets, labels and training.
WHMISWorkplace Hazardous Materials Information System
Canada's chemical hazard communication system covering labels, data sheets and worker education.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the data sheet availability check template based on?+
It is built against WHMIS 2015, OSHA 1910.1200(g)(8). OSHA 1910.1200 is hazard communication. The United States right to know standard. Labels, safety data sheets and worker training on chemical hazards. OSHA is occupational Safety and Health Administration. The United States workplace safety regulator. Its standards are law where they apply.
What sections does the data sheet availability check contain?+
There are 4 sections: header, access, coverage, result. Together they hold 43 fields, 35 of which are required.
How often is a data sheet availability check raised?+
A new record is raised on the inspection frequency set in your programme, and again after any change to the asset or area. Each one is given an ID in the form SDA-2026-000, so it can be traced and referenced from other records.
Which programme does the data sheet availability check belong to?+
It is part of Chemical Safety and WHMIS. Every substance has a sixteen section sheet, an assessment, a label and a spill response.
How is a data sheet availability check scored?+
Scoring is access and coverage. High is good. Scores exist to make the form tell you something, not to produce a percentage for its own sake.
Can the data sheet availability check template be changed?+
Yes. Every field, option, score and conditional rule is editable, and the links to other templates come with it. Most teams install it as it is, run it for a cycle, then adjust.
The agents
What the agents do with it
The form is the easy part. Keeping it current, routing it to the right owner and holding the evidence together is the work that actually slips.
Holds the data sheet availability check library against your registers, routes each record to its owner, and keeps the evidence trail together.
Coordinates the crew, rolls completion and exceptions into one view, and holds every write for your approval before it touches a record.
This template lives in KnowSafe — safety and compliance. Incidents, hazards, permits, inspections and the critical controls behind them.
Meet KnowSafe→Sources
Sources
- OSHA 1910.1200 — Hazard communication
- OSHA — Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- WHMIS 2015 — Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
- WHMIS — Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System