Which statement summarizes the steps involved in basic spill cleanup?

• A. Contain spill, evacuate if needed, ventilate safely, use appropriate absorbent, collect waste in labeled containers, and decontaminate
• B. Immediately disperse spill across the room
• C. Only report the spill without cleanup
• D. Ignore the spill if it seems small

Answer: (A)

Handling a basic spill starts with safety and containment. Stop spread by containing the spill and, if needed, evacuate anyone in danger. Then make sure the area is well ventilated to clear fumes. Use the appropriate absorbent material for the substance to soak it up effectively. Collect the absorbed material and any contaminated waste in clearly labeled containers so it can be disposed of properly. Finally, decontaminate the area to remove residues and reduce ongoing exposure.

Dispersing the spill would just spread contaminants, reporting without cleanup leaves risk ongoing, and ignoring a spill misses essential safety steps.