What should you do if you believe a hazardous substance has been spilled?

• A. Evacuate the area
• B. Notify the right personnel
• C. Evacuate the area and notify the right personnel
• D. Ignore it

Answer: (C)

When a hazardous substance spills, your priority is safety: move away from the spill area and get help from the right people. Evacuating reduces your exposure to fumes, skin contact, or slipping hazards, and it prevents others from entering the danger zone. Notifying the appropriate personnel—such as a supervisor, safety officer, or the spill-response team—brings in trained responders who can assess the hazard, contain it, trigger any needed alarms or shutdowns, and arrange proper cleanup with the right protective equipment. This combination protects you immediately and ensures the spill is handled safely and correctly, rather than attempting cleanup yourself or ignoring it. Do not try to clean it up unless you’re trained and authorized, and always follow your site’s spill procedures.