What is the primary purpose of a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)?

The primary purpose of a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), now often referred to as a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), is to provide comprehensive information regarding the hazards associated with a chemical substance. This includes details on the chemical's properties, potential health effects, safe handling and storage practices, and emergency measures for spills or exposure.

The information in an MSDS is essential for ensuring that employees and emergency responders can safely manage and respond to any incidents involving the chemical. Specifically, it outlines the risks related to the substance, which is critical for risk assessment and enforcing safety measures in the workplace.

While first aid instructions and emergency contact numbers may sometimes be included in the MSDS for specific chemicals, the overarching goal is to inform users about chemical hazards. The inclusion of company policies would not fall under the scope of an MSDS as it is more focused on safety and handling rather than internal procedures.