What should you do if you encounter an unlabeled container?

• A. Do not touch and report to supervisor.
• B. Open and inspect the container.
• C. Proceed if safe.
• D. Disregard immediately.

Answer: (A)

Unknown or unlabeled containers hide unknown hazards, so the safest approach is to treat them as potentially dangerous. The best first step is not to touch or move the container; instead, isolate the area if possible and report it to a supervisor or trained personnel. This allows the right people to identify the contents, label the container correctly, and handle it with proper containment and disposal procedures. Opening or inspecting could release harmful fumes, cause a reaction, or lead to skin contact with a toxic or corrosive substance. You can’t reliably judge safety without the proper tools and training, so proceeding as if it’s safe is not appropriate. Disregarding it violates safety rules and can put you and others at risk. Let the supervisor coordinate the response using appropriate PPE, spill kits, and hazardous-material procedures.