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

The primary purpose of a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), now more commonly referred to as a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), is to provide detailed information on the properties, hazards, and safe handling of a chemical substance. This document serves as a crucial resource for employees and emergency responders, enabling them to understand the chemical's physical and chemical characteristics, potential health effects, protective measures, and safety precautions for handling, storing, and disposing of the substance safely.

The information outlined in an MSDS/SDS helps employers comply with occupational safety and health regulations and ensures that workers are adequately informed about the hazards associated with the chemicals they may encounter in their work environment. This is vital for maintaining workplace safety and protecting the health of employees.

The other options, while related to chemical safety, do not encapsulate the primary function of an MSDS. Legal regulations pertain to compliance and enforcement but are not the core focus of an MSDS. Reporting chemical spillage is an action that may follow the guidance in an MSDS but is not its primary purpose. Likewise, while an inventory of hazardous substances is important for safety protocols, it does not replace the need for detailed hazard information provided in an MSDS/SDS. Thus, the correct answer highlights the