What is considered the essential information on a material safety data sheet (MSDS)?

Essential information on a material safety data sheet (MSDS) includes details necessary for the safe handling and response to hazardous materials. Emergency procedures are a critical component of this document, providing guidelines for what to do in case of exposure, spills, or accidents. These procedures ensure that personnel can respond quickly and effectively to minimize harm to themselves and others, as well as reduce the impact of the material involved.

In contrast, performance characteristics, material dimensions, and manufacture dates, while potentially useful in other contexts, do not address safety concerns directly. Performance characteristics relate to how a material behaves under certain conditions, which is important but secondary to safety information. Material dimensions provide information on size but are not relevant to safety and emergency handling. The manufacture date, though it can indicate the validity and freshness of a product, does not inform safety protocols or emergency responses necessary for dealing with hazardous materials. Thus, emergency procedures are the cornerstone of an MSDS, ensuring that immediate and effective action can be taken in emergencies.