During a hazardous material spill, what is the highest priority for responders?

The highest priority for responders during a hazardous material spill is public safety and responder safety. This focus ensures that all individuals affected by the incident, including the general public and emergency personnel, are kept out of harm's way. Achieving safety involves assessing the situation to determine what measures are necessary to protect people from exposure to hazardous substances and preventing any potential injuries or fatalities.

By prioritizing safety, responders can take appropriate actions to mitigate risks, such as establishing an exclusion zone, providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to those involved in the response, and ensuring that evacuation procedures are in place. This foundational focus on safety sets the stage for effective containment and cleanup efforts, while also allowing for an organized evaluation of the spill's impact on operations and the environment. Only with a solid safety plan can other considerations, such as protecting the environment or maintaining operational continuity, be adequately addressed.