When encountering hazardous materials, what is crucial to prevent?

Preventing smoking around hazardous materials is crucial because smoking can ignite flammable substances, leading to fires or explosions. The presence of hazardous materials often implies that the substances are volatile and/or flammable, making a spark from a lit cigarette extremely dangerous. This practice is critical for ensuring safety in environments where hazardous materials are stored or handled.

While other options, such as preventing injury from accidents or water contamination, are important considerations when working with hazardous materials, the specific nature of smoking poses a direct and immediate risk of ignition that can have devastating consequences. Therefore, prohibiting smoking helps maintain a safer environment and reduces the likelihood of catastrophic incidents.