When decanting a hazardous material from a labeled primary container into a secondary container, what must be done with labeling?

• A. Labeling information must be transferred to the secondary container
• B. Labeling is optional for the secondary container
• C. No labeling is needed on the secondary container
• D. Labeling on the secondary container must be omitted

Answer: (A)

Labeling information must be transferred to the secondary container so the hazard information travels with the material. When a chemical is moved, anyone handling it should still see the product identity and the hazards, enabling correct handling, storage, and use and preventing misidentification or unsafe mixing. Without a label on the secondary container, workers may not know what they’re dealing with or what precautions to take, which is a regulatory requirement and a safety risk. In most situations, labeling should accompany the material unless it’s truly for immediate use by the person who decanted it and within the same shift, but otherwise the secondary container must bear the same labeling as the primary container.