Why should Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) be readily accessible to employees?

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) provide crucial information about the properties of hazardous chemicals, including how to handle them safely, potential hazards, and what to do in case of an emergency or exposure. Having SDSs readily accessible ensures that employees can quickly find the information they need to respond effectively to incidents, minimizing health risks associated with hazardous exposures. This is especially critical during emergencies, where time is of the essence, and knowing the correct procedure can significantly impact health outcomes.

While the other options relate to aspects of workplace safety and productivity, they do not capture the primary reason for the immediate accessibility of SDSs in emergency situations. SDSs are not primarily used for daily procedure training, evaluating employee performance, or determining chemical costs; their main function centers on providing vital safety information necessary for managing hazardous substances effectively in a work environment.