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

The purpose of a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), now commonly referred to as a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), is to provide critical information about the safe handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals and hazardous materials. This document contains vital data such as the properties of the substance, health risks, first-aid measures, proper protective equipment, and guidelines for safe usage. It serves as an essential resource for workers who must understand the potential hazards associated with the materials they are working with, ensuring safety and compliance with health regulations.

The other options do not align with the primary function of an MSDS. Weather forecasts for hazardous materials pertain to meteorological factors but are unrelated to chemical safety. Legal regulations for hazardous waste are typically found in laws and guidelines rather than in an MSDS, which focuses more on handling rather than compliance outlines. Reporting environmental incidents is a different field of responsibility that falls outside the scope of what an MSDS is designed to achieve. Thus, the emphasis on safe handling within an MSDS is critical for protecting workers and ensuring safe workplace practices when dealing with hazardous materials.