What should you never do to identify a hazardous material in a container?

• A. Read the label
• B. Check the color
• C. Smell or taste it
• D. Handle gently

Answer: (C)

Never identifying a hazardous material by smell or taste is about practicing non-exposure safety. Smell or tasting a unknown substance can cause immediate and unseen harm—many toxic or corrosive materials are dangerous even in tiny amounts, and some have no odor at all or only a misleading scent. Relying on how something smells or tastes to decide what it is is simply not reliable and can put you and others at serious risk.

The safe approach is to use information that is already documented on the container and in safety resources. Read the label carefully and check the hazard statements, pictograms, and any directions. If the label is damaged or missing, do not open, sniff, or taste the contents. Treat the substance as hazardous, secure the area, wear appropriate PPE, and report to a supervisor or the appropriate response team. You can also reference the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for details, or use approved detection equipment if you have been trained and authorized to do so.

Color alone is not a dependable indicator of hazard, and handling a container gently does not provide reliable identification. By relying on labels, SDS, and proper procedures, you protect yourself and others from unknown risks.