Safety Data Sheets Management Plan (1st Edition, 2026)

This Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Management Plan has been produced to support the safe management of chemical products used or carried on board, taking into account applicable requirements of SOLAS, the ISM Code, MARPOL and occupational health and safety obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006.

This plan provides a ship-specific framework for the management, storage, handling and disposal of all chemical products used on board, in accordance with SOLAS, the ISM Code and applicable MARPOL requirements.
Section 1 establishes the regulatory framework and responsibilities. The applicable framework includes the ISM Code for hazard identification, training and emergency preparedness; MARPOL Annexes I, II and V for pollution prevention and waste disposal; and MLC 2006 for occupational health and safety of seafarers.
Section 2 provides the chemical inventory and hazard classification for all products on board, organised by cleaning products and paint/coating products, with GHS signal words, storage locations and key hazards identified for each product.
Section 3 sets out the storage and segregation requirements, including critical segregation rules for incompatible substance categories (acids and alkalines, bleach and acids, oxidisers and flammables, epoxy components) and secondary containment requirements for corrosive and toxic products. The storage requirements for the paint store address the fire protection provisions of SOLAS Chapter II-2, including ventilation, elimination of ignition sources and fire extinguisher provisions.
Section 4 provides the PPE matrix by hazard category, with PPE maintenance requirements under ISM Code, Section 10 (Maintenance of the Ship and Equipment).
Section 5 covers safe handling procedures for all chemical categories, including general principles, corrosive products, powder products, spray products and paint products.
Section 6 establishes the spill response protocol with escalating response levels, and the notification requirements.
Section 7 provides a first aid quick reference for eye contact, skin contact, inhalation and ingestion exposures.
Section 8 sets out waste disposal procedures, including applicable MARPOL restrictions and documentation requirements for waste transfer.
Section 9 covers paint and coating product management, including storage, application safety and first aid.
Section 10 provides emergency contact details.
The six appendices provide the operational record forms that support the Plan.

Systematic use of this SDS Management Plan enables the Master and Chief Officer to:
- Demonstrate compliance with SOLAS requirements for the storage and handling of flammable and hazardous substances.
- Maintain an auditable, up-to-date chemical inventory and SDS file for relevant products on board, including material safety data sheets as required by SOLAS Chapter VI, Regulation 5-1.
- Provide documented evidence of chemical safety risk assessments, safe handling procedures and crew training as part of the vessel's Safety Management System under the ISM Code.

Witherbys

Witherbys titles are developed using scripts developed by technical experts that are peer reviewed within work groups. Typically, they seek to improve understanding of the regulations, recommendations and guidelines issued by Industry.

Witherbys staff have significant expertise in the fields of navigation and hazardous cargoes as well as in the presentation of complex subjects in a graphic and easy to understand manner.