Determining the preferred order of material safety data sheets (MSDS): A user-centered approach

Although the Hazard Communication Standard (OSHA, 1994) provides recommendations for the type of information contained in materials safety data sheets (MSDSs), there are no regulations for the order in which information should be presented. Research and theory suggest that information displays that are constructed to match the user’s mental model facilitate visual search efficiency and accuracy. The present research was designed to determine whether there is a preferred ordering of MSDS information that novices expect, presumably based on their cognitive expectations. Sixty participants were given MSDS section information on separate sheets and asked to arrange them in an order they considered most usable. The results showed differences in the placement of certain components within different MSDSs and the consistent placement of other components (e.g., Health Hazards Data, Physical Data) at the beginning or the end. Results showed support for common mental models among novices relating to the order in which safety information should be displayed. Implications for the design of MSDSs and safety material are discussed.