In the sequence of a chemical spill response, which phase follows containment/notification?

• A. Cleanup
• B. Assessment
• C. Post-incident review
• D. Disposal

Answer: (B)

When a chemical spill occurs, containment and notification address stopping the spread and getting the right people on scene. The next essential step is assessment—the process of evaluating the spill to understand its size, boundaries, the hazards involved, potential exposures, and environmental conditions. This information is used to plan the rest of the response: what cleanup methods to use, what PPE and controls are needed, how to isolate affected areas, and what resources to mobilize. Without a formal assessment, actions could be unsafe or ineffective because you wouldn’t know the true extent of the hazard or the appropriate response measures. Following assessment, cleanup then proceeds to remove or remediate the spill, disposal handles the waste generated, and a post-incident review can be conducted to learn from the event and improve future responses.