A hazard associated with the handling and use of flammable and combustible liquids is:

• A. Ventilation.
• B. Static electricity.
• C. Closed containers.
• D. Bonding containers.

Answer: (B)

Static electricity is a common ignition source when handling flammable and combustible liquids. As liquid moves, is poured, or is transferred through hoses and containers, friction and separation of materials can build up an electrical charge. In dry air or with fast flow, that charge can discharge as a spark, which can ignite flammable vapors that are often present above the liquid surface. This is why grounding and bonding are emphasized—connecting the source container and the receiving container to the same electrical potential prevents a spark from forming during transfers. Ventilation helps keep vapor concentrations down, reducing the overall risk, but it doesn’t address the spark issue itself. Similarly, using closed containers or bonding practices are more about managing the hazard than being the hazard themselves, though bonding specifically reduces the static spark risk during handling.