COSHH risk assessment? provides more information. Safety data sheets If a substance is dangerous for supply, the supplier must send you a data sheet when the product is first ordered, if the formulation changes, or if you ask for a sheet. If it is not dangerous for supply the supplier should include instructions for safe use with the package. Report suppliers who refuse to provide safety information to HSE. The parts of a safety data sheet you may find most useful are: YES. A good safety data sheet (SDS) does not substitute for carrying out and recording a COSHH risk assessment.  Gathering SDSs is only the first stage in the assessment process. The SDS will provide information on the hazardous properties of the substances you are using, any health effects associated with its use, how likely it is to get into the air or onto the skin, and what risk reduction measures you should use to control exposure to an acceptable level. However, it will not be specific to your workplace and cannot take into account the particular environment you work in. Working with substances hazardous to health provides more information Keeping records The substance they are exposed to, and when (start date, frequency of use) The surveillance test that is done on them, and the tester The outcome e.g. passed / retest / failed (but not the test data). Remember that a Health Surveillance record is different to a medical record. Medical records are generated by a health professional,