Which practices promote safe handling of chemicals?

• A. Hold below eye level; do not pour from high heights; carry with both hands; waft to smell
• B. Hold at shoulder level; pour from above; carry with one hand; sniff to smell
• C. Keep at chest height; pour quickly; carry with gloves
• D. Keep away from face; sniff to smell

Answer: (A)

Safe handling of chemicals focuses on preventing exposure and keeping control of the container. Holding the container below eye level reduces the chance of splashes reaching the eyes, and not pouring from high heights minimizes spills. Carrying with both hands provides stability, lowering the risk of dropping the container. Wafting to detect odor—rather than sniffing directly at the container—protects the nose and lungs from concentrated vapors.

The other practices increase risk: pouring from above and carrying with one hand can lead to splashes or loss of control, while sniffing directly at chemicals can expose you to hazardous fumes. Even keeping the container away from the face is good, but sniffing to detect odor undermines that safety.