What is the main function of an MSDS?

The main function of a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which is now often referred to as a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), is to outline safety information about hazardous materials. The MSDS provides essential details regarding the properties, handling, storage, and potential hazards of the substances used in various settings, particularly in workplaces where chemicals are present. This documentation is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance with regulations, enabling users to understand the necessary precautions and response protocols in case of exposure or accidents.

While the other options mention important tasks relevant to different contexts, they do not pertain to the specific purpose of an MSDS. For instance, technical support is important in IT and software contexts but does not relate to hazardous materials, tracking shipments serves logistics and supply chain management, and replacing outdated software addresses software lifecycle management rather than chemical safety. Thus, outlining safety information about hazardous materials is the definitive function of an MSDS, making it central to workplace safety and health standards.