A material safety data sheet (MSDS) is a document designed to provide employees with the necessary information to safely use a chemical or mixture The document also contains information regarding emergency procedures and possible hazards of the product as well as how to use, store and handle it. The intent of a MSDS is to communicate how to safely use the product, how to handle an accident should it occur, and how to recognize signs of overexposure.
Technical translation is the process of translating a technical document, such as a safety data sheet or a workplace label, from one language into another. By using technical translation services instead of a dictionary translation, you can ensure that the proper terms and correct connotations are being used in the document. Technical translation services are very useful in the European Union because of the vast number of languages being used. If an industrial product is to be used in more than one member state, the safety data sheet must be available in each state in the official language of that country. Using technical translation services for your documents will guarantee that each employee in contact with the document will be able to interpret the information accurately in a time of need.
When translating technical documents such as a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) note that straight translations may lead to a non-compliant document. MSDSs need to be authored to be compliant of the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is to be used, so often direct translations are infeasible. For example, you cannot simply take a U.S. compliant MSDS and translate it into Danish and have a document which is compliant in Denmark. Sometime, rather than translating your company’s MSDS, it is prudent to take the existing document and author a new set of MSDSs that is compliant in the necessary jurisdictions and in the necessary languages. It is also important to note that using a machine translation program is not an appropriate to translate documents of this nature. Errors in translating labels, instruction, or safety precautions could lead to regulatory, product or civil liability. In addition, an incorrect translation could be misinterpreted, leading to a possible misuse of the product and physical or property damage.
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