What is NFPA 704 primarily used for?

NFPA 704 is primarily utilized for identifying chemical hazards to assist in emergency response situations. This system uses a color-coded diamond shape with numerical ratings to convey the specific hazards associated with different chemicals. The numbers indicate the level of hazards related to health, flammability, reactivity, and specific hazards, allowing first responders to quickly assess the risks that a particular substance may pose in an emergency. This is critical for ensuring the safety of personnel and the public during incidents involving hazardous materials, enabling a rapid and effective response to potential dangers.

The other options, while related to safety and training, do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of the NFPA 704 system. For instance, labeling consumer products for safety typically falls under different regulatory requirements, and providing training on hazardous materials or establishing workplace training programs involves broader categories of instruction rather than the specific emergency response focus of NFPA 704.