Choosing PPE from a Safety Data Sheet

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for a hazardous chemical must cover 16 set sections, according to Safe Work Australia's code of practice for preparing them. Section 8, Exposure controls and personal protection, is where the protective equipment for that chemical is set out.

What Section 8 covers

The code says Section 8 should advise how to keep exposure below the relevant exposure standard, list the exposure standards for each hazardous ingredient, and describe engineering controls, for example using local exhaust ventilation or using the chemical only in a well-ventilated area.

PPE comes after those controls. The code says PPE should be used only when other control measures, such as elimination, substitution, isolation or engineering controls, have been found to be impracticable, or together with one or more of them.

Eye and face protection

Section 8 should name the type of eye protection, for example safety glasses, goggles or a face shield, and the properties it needs based on the hazard and the chance of contact, such as the degree of impact protection or splash resistance. Our safety glasses and face shields page covers the differences, and the range is under eye and face protection.

Gloves, boots and body protection

For skin, the code says the SDS should name the protective equipment to wear when using or handling the chemical, including the types of gloves, boots and bodysuits, and its properties based on the hazard, for example cotton, PVC or nitrile. See chemical gloves and protective clothing.

Match the material to the chemical. Safe Work Australia's code on managing hazardous chemicals warns that some gloves may be resistant to some solvents but not others, and the SDS code warns that some chemicals can damage the materials PPE is made from, giving synthetic clothing worn against corrosive chemicals as an example. Our chemical gloves page and chemical coverall types page compare the materials.

Respiratory protection

If a chemical needs respiratory protection, the code says the SDS should give the appropriate type based on the hazard and the potential for exposure, for example an air-purifying respirator with specific filters, an air-line respirator or breathing apparatus, with a reference to a standard where appropriate.

The code calls an instruction such as 'use respirator' vague and not helpful, and gives 'use half-face filter respirator suitable for organic vapours' as the kind of detail that is far more useful. Buy the respirator and filter your SDS names. Our respirator filter types page explains the filter markings, and the respiratory protection range lists what we stock.

The warning wording in Section 2

Section 2 carries the label elements, including precautionary statements. One of them, P280, reads 'Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection'. The code explains that the slashes mark a choice, so the statement can read 'Wear eye protection' where the hazard classification does not warrant more PPE.

Spills, handling and storage

Section 6 covers accidental release. The code says it should advise on suitable equipment, including PPE, to prevent contamination of skin, eyes and clothing, and on how to contain and clean up a spill, for example bunding, covering drains, neutralisation or decontamination. See our spill kit sizing page and the spill kits range.

Section 7 covers handling and storage, including how to avoid corrosive conditions, flammability hazards and incompatible substances, and hygiene rules such as washing hands after use and removing contaminated clothing and protective equipment before entering eating areas. Storage cabinets are covered on our chemical storage cabinets page.

Keeping track across many products

A site holding dozens of products has dozens of SDSs, each with its own Section 8. ChemMan, from Lupin Systems, keeps safety data sheets in one place and works out signage and PPE from what you store. The full range is under PPE.

The gear we stock

Bolle Universal Vented Safety Goggles, Clear 3M Browguard and Clear Visor Face Shield Ansell AlphaTec Solvex 37-145 Nitrile Glove, 33 cm Ansell AlphaTec 53-002 Neoprene Chemical Gauntlet STS TS01 Half Mask Kit with ABEK1P3 Filter DuPont Tyvek 500 Xpert Disposable Coverall Ansell AlphaTec PVC Apron, Heavy Duty, White Bata Jobmaster 2 PVC Safety Gumboot, 400 mm Hazchem Spill Kit, Small Bag, Absorbs 26 L

Signs for the same area

Corrosive liquids, wear protective equipment

Common questions

Which section of a Safety Data Sheet covers PPE?

Section 8, Exposure controls and personal protection. Safe Work Australia's code of practice for preparing SDSs says it should cover eye and face, skin and respiratory protection, and PPE for thermal hazards.

Is 'use respirator' enough detail on an SDS?

No. Safe Work Australia's code calls that vague and not helpful. It gives 'use half-face filter respirator suitable for organic vapours' as an example of far more useful advice.

Should PPE be the first control for a hazardous chemical?

No. The code says PPE should be used only when other controls, such as elimination, substitution, isolation or engineering controls, have been found to be impracticable, or together with one or more of them.

Does the SDS say what glove material to use?

It should. The code says the SDS should give the properties of skin protection based on the hazard and the potential for contact, for example cotton, PVC or nitrile.

Where does an SDS cover spill clean-up?

Section 6, Accidental release measures. The code says it should cover suitable equipment, including PPE, and how to contain and clean up a spill.

Sources

Checked against the sources above on 2026-10-21.

General information, not advice for your site. What protection a job needs comes from the Safety Data Sheet, the task and your risk assessment. The statements on this page are taken from the sources listed below and were checked on the date shown. Check the source, or ask your regulator.