What is the purpose of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)?

The purpose of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), now often referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS), is to provide comprehensive information about the properties of a chemical, its associated hazards, and safe handling practices. This crucial document is designed to ensure that users, including employees and emergency responders, have access to vital information necessary for the safe use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials.

MSDS/SDS contain details on various crucial aspects, such as chemical composition, physical and chemical properties, health hazards, safe handling and storage instructions, exposure controls, and emergency measures in case of incidents. The information in these sheets promotes workplace safety, helps prevent accidents, and facilitates compliance with regulatory requirements, making them an essential resource in environments that handle chemicals.

Options that focus on historical data or marketing guidelines miss the primary objective of MSDS, as those aspects do not contribute to safety and risk management with hazardous substances. Similarly, listing manufacturing processes is not relevant to the immediate needs of individuals working with or around chemicals, thus highlighting why the chosen answer is fundamentally the most fitting for understanding the role and importance of MSDS/SDS in workplace safety.