Which sense should you avoid using when arriving at a hazardous materials incident?

In the context of a hazardous materials incident, using the sense of smell should be avoided due to safety concerns. Many hazardous substances can pose a serious risk if inhaled, as they may have toxic or harmful effects on the respiratory system. Even if a substance has a distinct or recognizable smell, relying on smell to identify hazardous materials can be misleading and dangerous.

In contrast, other senses such as sight, touch, and hearing can provide valuable information about the situation without putting an individual at immediate risk. For example, sight can help assess the scene for visible leaks or spills, while touch should be avoided unless necessary protective equipment is used, and hearing can alert responders to unusual noises indicating danger. Therefore, refraining from using the sense of smell is crucial in order to safeguard health and ensure appropriate response measures are taken at hazardous materials incidents.