What documentation should be kept near hazardous materials for reference?

Keeping Safety Data Sheets (SDS) near hazardous materials is crucial because they provide vital information regarding the properties of each substance, potential hazards, handling procedures, and protocols for emergencies. SDS are designed to inform workers about safe handling and use, ensuring they understand the risks involved and how to respond effectively in the event of an accident or exposure. This readily accessible information promotes a safer workplace by facilitating immediate reference for safety measures and emergency responses related to hazardous materials.

While employee training records, incident logs, and inventory lists contribute to overall safety and compliance, they do not provide the immediate, critical information needed for handling hazardous materials on-site. Employee training records document the completion of safety training, incident logs track occurrences of accidents but do not give real-time safety information, and inventory lists track materials but lack specific hazard details and emergency response guidelines. Therefore, having SDS on hand is the best practice for reference when dealing with hazardous substances.