Hazardous and toxic materials are those chemicals with the properties that can harm individuals or the environment. This can be fuels, solvents, dusts, mixtures, and vapors. Proper handling of hazardous materials is essential to your safety in the workplace.

You need to know a lot about a chemical to be sure that you do not harm yourself or others while using them. In the event of an accident, you need to know how to clean up spills and administer first aid if needed.

OSHA requires that the workplace keep a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each chemical on site. SDSs are the primary source of information on chemicals you might use during the workday. And if there is an emergency, SDSs can be used to help decide how to handle the situation.