Published 24 Jun 2023

Top 6 Safety Data Sheet Software of 2023

a chemical bottle with a safety data sheet as a safety requirement being inspected using a safety data sheet software

What is Safety Data Sheet Software?

Safety data sheet software is a crucial digital tool intended for laboratories or any facility that uses chemicals and is used to protect the health and safety of its personnel. This stores detailed information about chemicals, including their physical properties, possible health and environmental risks, and safety precautions for handling, storage, transportation, and disposal. This also provides guidelines regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) use, first aid procedures, and clean-up protocols, to name a few.

Importance

Safety data sheets (SDS) are incredibly consequential in ensuring the health and safety of the personnel in industries that work with chemicals and other toxic substances. Using a digital system to store and organize this information is crucial for numerous reasons. Here are some:

  • Prepares workers in case of emergencies – Opening cabinets and sifting through alphabetically arranged folders to find the information needed is hardly efficient or safe in emergencies. With electronic SDS stored on-premise or via the cloud, you can quickly access the document in seconds on your laptop or your phone.
  • Provides detailed information that can be easily updated – There is no doubt that traditional (paper-based) safety data sheets are prepared with meticulous care. However, workers find it labor-intensive and time-consuming to make alterations when there are new scientific data or regulatory changes about a particular compound. With SDS software, the task can be accomplished in minutes and immediately disseminated to all relevant personnel.
  • Facilitates safe storage, disposal, and transportation – Aside from the fact that you can easily share this digital document with third-party suppliers (e.g., special warehouses, logistics providers, disposal sites, etc.), you can also track and monitor the activities in real-time, ensuring that these chemicals are in safe hands at all times.
  • Manages risks better – Working with chemicals is incredibly dangerous, but it has been proven time and again that jobs are much safer when digital solutions are integrated into the operations. This is made possible with features like sensors, barcodes on labels, quick incident reporting, and pre-assigned actions.
  • Ensures compliance – According to numerous regulatory bodies, SDS must be readily available to employees in any workplace that use or handle chemicals. With instantly generated reports, a common feature of computerized systems, companies can prove they abide by OSHA mandates and similar regulations in countries like Canada or the UK.

Key Features

One misconception about safety data sheet software is that it is merely a data repository of chemicals used by companies. Enumerated below are its indispensable features, proving that this is a must-have in your workplace.

  • Database of automatically generated documents and classification
  • Central repository with user-defined workflows and role-based access
  • Customizable SDS for updates
  • Inventory monitoring
  • Report generation with analytics
  • Inspection and audit management
  • Training and instructional modules with exposure scenarios
  • Communication with alerts and notifications
  • Mobile accessibility
  • Offline capabilities

Selecting the Right Safety Data Sheet Software

All seven digital platforms mentioned above will be advantageous to your workplace and employees. Take a quick look at all of them below before you make your final decision:

Safety Data Sheet Software Free Version Paid Plan Mobile App
SafetyCulture Yes $24/user/month* Yes
SpheraCloud No Available upon registration Yes
BackPack by Chemwatch No Available upon request Yes
VelocityEHS No Available upon registration Yes
Labelmaster No Available upon request No
3E Protect No Available upon request Yes

* billed annually

Eunice

SafetyCulture staff writer

Eunice Arcilla Caburao

Eunice is a content contributor for SafetyCulture. A registered nurse, theater stage manager, Ultimate Frisbee athlete, and mother, Eunice has written a multitude of topics for over a decade now.

Eunice is a content contributor for SafetyCulture. A registered nurse, theater stage manager, Ultimate Frisbee athlete, and mother, Eunice has written a multitude of topics for over a decade now.