IFC Premier Certificate Practice Exam

Passive containment refers to methods and measures that are implemented to prevent or mitigate the spread of hazardous substances without requiring active intervention or monitoring. In this context, sandbags placed around hazards serve as a physical barrier that passively contains spills, leaks, or other hazardous materials. They do not require active management or continuous operation, making them an effective passive containment solution.

In contrast, an alarm system for leak detection constitutes an active approach since it requires ongoing monitoring and can trigger a response to address a detected leak. Regular staff safety training sessions are essential for preparedness but do not directly prevent containment. Active monitoring of environmental conditions involves continuous assessment and intervention when specific thresholds are exceeded. Thus, the use of sandbags as a straightforward and passive method illustrates the concept of passive containment effectively.