What type of hazard does a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) primarily address?

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is primarily focused on addressing chemical hazards. It provides detailed information about a chemical substance, including its properties, potential hazards, safe handling and storage instructions, first aid measures, and exposure controls. This ensures that employees and emergency responders have the necessary information to minimize risks associated with the use of the chemical.

The MSDS is particularly critical in environments where chemicals are handled, as it helps in identifying the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and the procedures that should be followed in case of spills or exposure. It is an essential tool for compliance with workplace safety regulations and for promoting a safe working environment.

While the other options such as physical, biological, and noise hazards are also important aspects of workplace safety, they are not the primary focus of an MSDS. Physical hazards might include elements like machinery safety and ergonomics, biological hazards pertain to germs and microorganisms, and noise hazards would reference sound exposure levels that can affect hearing. Each of these hazards would typically be covered in different safety documentation relevant to their specific categories, but chemical hazards remain the central concern of an MSDS.