Final answer:
The OSHA Act of 1970 required chemical manufacturers to publish Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), which have since been replaced by the more standardized Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to provide critical health and safety information to workers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The OSHA Act of 1970 established the hazard communication Rule, which required that chemical manufacturers publish Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). These were meant to inform workers about chemical hazards and safe handling practices within the workplace. However, the Material Safety Data Sheets have since been replaced by the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, which introduced Safety Data Sheets (SDS). The change to Safety Data Sheets aimed to standardize information and make it more accessible and easy to understand on a global scale. Both the old MSDS and the new SDS formats are crucial for ensuring that workers are aware of the risks associated with chemicals they might be exposed to, thereby protecting their health and safety.