Encourage your employees to utilize the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) MSDS. Specifically created to train your workers in the ANSI format, this program teaches employees the importance of material safety data sheets and their role in OSHA's hazard communication standard.

One important method for identifying hazardous materials is through the use of container labels. From bottles and drums to trucks and railcars, labels and placards provide information about the contents of a container, as well as what to do and who to call in case of an emergency. Because this information is so critical for the safe handling and transporting of these potentially dangerous substances, several organizations have developed labeling and placarding systems to communicate to employees about a container's contents.

Hazardous materials are a part of many work situations. They are found in many different types of facilities and on many job sites... from manufacturing and construction to retail and office environments. Some organizations have to deal with hazardous materials as part of their daily business, and have detailed plans and highly trained workers to handle a sudden spill. Other facilities only have to handle these materials infrequently, and may not have given much thought to what must be done in case of a spill.

Today's workplaces are filled with written warnings alerting workers of potential hazards. Make sure employees understand the warnings concerning what to do and what NOT to do.