What type of documentation is crucial for informing employees about hazardous substances?

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) play a critical role in informing employees about hazardous substances they may encounter in the workplace. These sheets provide comprehensive information regarding the properties of each hazardous material, including the potential health effects, safe handling practices, emergency procedures, and guidelines for use. By ensuring that employees have access to these sheets, they can be adequately informed about the risks associated with specific substances and how to protect themselves, which is essential for maintaining a safe working environment.

While annual safety audits assess overall safety practices and compliance within the organization, they do not specifically inform employees about individual hazardous substances. Employee performance reviews focus on job performance and productivity rather than safety knowledge. Regular maintenance logs are important for tracking the upkeep of equipment but do not encompass information about hazardous materials. Therefore, MSDS are the dedicated tool for educating employees about the specific hazards they may face in their work environment.