What are material safety data sheets (MSDS) used for?

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), now more commonly referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS), serve a crucial purpose in the realm of occupational safety and health. They are primarily used to provide comprehensive information about chemical hazards associated with materials that workers might encounter. This includes details about the physical and chemical properties of substances, hazards related to their use, safe handling and storage procedures, emergency and first-aid measures, along with exposure controls and personal protective equipment recommendations.

By offering this critical information, MSDSs enable employers and employees to understand the risks associated with chemicals and take the appropriate precautions to prevent accidents and injuries in the workplace.

While safety training, environmental assessments, and waste classification are all important aspects of compliance and safety protocols, they do not fall under the direct function of MSDS/SDS documents, which are specifically centered on providing hazard-related information about chemicals.