Final answer:
To identify hazards at a hazardous materials incident, one should consult the NFPA 704 Hazard Identification System, also known as the hazard diamond or fire diamond, which classifies risks by health, flammability, reactivity, and special characteristics on a scale from 0 (no hazard) to 4 (extremely hazardous).
Step-by-step explanation:
When arriving at the scene of a possible hazardous materials incident, you would identify hazards by using the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 704 Hazard Identification System, commonly recognized as the hazard diamond or fire diamond. This visual tool conveys essential safety information about substances through color-coded diamonds, each representing different types of risks: the red diamond for fire hazards, the blue diamond for health hazards, the yellow diamond for reactivity, and the white diamond for special hazards. Each hazard is rated on a scale from 0 to 4, signifying the severity of the risk, with 0 being no hazard and 4 denoting extremely hazardous conditions.
In addition to recognizing the hazard diamond, it is important to be aware of the location of safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and eyewash stations in laboratories to handle any emergencies that may arise from contact with these materials.