What component in a Hazardous Materials Communication Program informs employees about chemical hazards?

The correct choice indicates that Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are a crucial part of a Hazardous Materials Communication Program because they provide essential information regarding the properties and hazards of chemicals. SDS contain detailed descriptions of the physical and chemical properties of substances, information on handling and storage, health hazards, safety precautions, and emergency response measures. This ensures that employees are fully informed about the risks associated with the chemicals they may encounter and how to work safely with them.

Training manuals, while important for overall employee instruction, may not focus specifically on chemical hazards in the same detail as SDS. Workplace posters can serve as reminders of safety protocols, but they do not provide comprehensive information about specific chemical hazards. Incident reports document past events but do not offer guidance on current chemical hazards or how to handle them. Thus, Safety Data Sheets are vital in effectively communicating chemical hazards to employees, empowering them with the knowledge needed to work safely.