Which action is prohibited during a hazardous materials incident?

The action that is prohibited during a hazardous materials incident is to eat or drink near the incident. This prohibition is primarily rooted in safety and health concerns. In the presence of hazardous materials, there may be unknown and potentially harmful substances in the air or on surfaces that could contaminate food or drinks. Consuming food or beverages in such an environment increases the risk of ingestion of these dangerous substances, which can lead to serious health issues or even fatalities.

Maintaining a safe perimeter and ensuring that personnel do not expose themselves to contaminants is critical in managing hazardous materials incidents. This includes enforcing rules that prevent eating or drinking in proximity to these incidents to protect the health and safety of all involved.

In contrast, using fire extinguishers, evacuating personnel, and calling for backup are typically actions that are part of the emergency response procedures, designed to manage the situation safely and effectively.