Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

What provides the best protection when transferring extremely flammable liquids from a drum?

1. Using a plastic funnel

2. Storing the drum in a cool area

3. Grounding each container to a low resistance ground

4. Wearing personal protective equipment

The correct answer is: Grounding each container to a low resistance ground

Transferring extremely flammable liquids presents significant safety hazards due to the potential for static electricity to ignite vapors or spills. Grounding each container to a low resistance ground is vital in preventing static discharge, which can create a spark capable of igniting flammable vapors. This procedure ensures that any static charge that builds up during the transfer process is safely dissipated into the ground, thus minimizing the risk of fire or explosion. Other options, while they may have their own safety benefits, do not directly address the critical hazard of static electricity during the transfer of flammable liquids. For instance, using a plastic funnel might assist in directing the liquid, but it does not mitigate the risk of static charge accumulation. Storing the drum in a cool area can help reduce evaporation and potential vapor buildup but does not eliminate the risks associated with the transfer process itself. Wearing personal protective equipment is important for personal safety but does not prevent the ignition of flammable liquids resulting from static discharges.