How should a spill of flammable liquid be contained and cleaned?

• A. Dilute with water and rinse away.
• B. Ignore if small and continue work.
• C. Use sand only and leave to dry.
• D. Evacuate area if needed, remove ignition sources, use absorbent materials to contain and absorb, collect and label waste, and dispose per regulations.

Answer: (D)

Controlling a flammable liquid spill hinges on stopping ignition and preventing spread, then cleaning up safely. The best approach follows a clear sequence: evacuate the area if needed, remove any ignition sources, and use appropriate absorbent materials to contain and absorb the liquid. Once contained, collect the contaminated material, label the waste, and dispose of it according to regulations. This approach directly reduces fire and explosion risk by eliminating sources of ignition and prevents the spill from spreading, while ensuring the waste is handled safely and legally.

Other options fall short because diluting with water can cause the liquid to spread and create more vapor, increasing the hazard; ignoring a spill—no matter how small—allows risk to grow rather than diminish; using sand alone may contain the liquid temporarily but doesn’t absorb or collect it properly and doesn’t address disposal or vapor risks.