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

The primary purpose of a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), now commonly referred to as Safety Data Sheet (SDS), is to provide comprehensive information about the properties and safety precautions of hazardous materials. These sheets are essential for users, including employees and emergency responders, as they outline various aspects such as the chemical's identity, hazards, handling and storage requirements, exposure controls, and first aid measures.

By presenting detailed information on potential health risks and necessary safety measures, the MSDS enables individuals to understand how to safely work with hazardous substances and respond appropriately in case of an emergency, thereby enhancing overall safety in the workplace.

Other options, while related to safety and handling of hazardous materials, do not capture the overarching purpose of the MSDS as effectively. Regulatory compliance information and safe shipping practices are important but fall under broader categories that the SDS supports; they do not define the core function of the sheet itself. Likewise, inventory management is a logistical concern that does not pertain directly to the primary objective of the MSDS. Therefore, focusing on properties and safety precautions provides a direct and crucial resource for managing hazardous materials responsibly.