What documentation must manufacturers or importers provide for training employees on hazardous materials?

Manufacturers or importers are required to provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), which are now also commonly referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) in accordance with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). These sheets provide comprehensive information about a particular chemical, including its hazards, handling procedures, storage requirements, and emergency measures.

By supplying MSDSs, employers are empowered to train their employees effectively on the safe use and handling of hazardous materials. The sheets serve as a critical resource in workplace training programs to ensure that employees understand the risks associated with the materials they might encounter and the proper procedures to follow to mitigate those risks.

Other types of documentation, while potentially useful in various contexts, do not fulfill the specific requirement for training on hazardous materials in the same fundamental way that MSDSs do. Safety Training Logs are records of training conducted but do not provide the necessary information regarding the hazards. Risk Assessment Reports may analyze hazards but lack the detailed safety information needed for day-to-day handling of materials. Incident Reports document past incidents but do not serve a proactive role in training employees on the hazards of materials they are currently working with.