When tagging a suspected contaminated vehicle, what information is essential to include?

• A. Color and license plate
• B. Owner's name and vehicle make
• C. Contamination status only
• D. Contamination status, decontamination status, date/time, and handler initials

Answer: (D)

Tagging a suspected contaminated vehicle should capture a complete safety and action trail for that vehicle. The essential information to include is the contamination status, the decontamination status, the date and time, and the initials of the person handling the tag. This combination provides a clear picture of what is known about the contamination, whether decontamination has begun or finished, when those steps occurred, and who was responsible for placing and updating the tag. That level of detail is crucial for safety, preventing cross-contamination, and maintaining accountability and an auditable record.

Notes on why the other details aren’t sufficient on their own: noting color or license plate identifies the vehicle but tells you nothing about safety status or decontamination progress; owner’s name and vehicle make don’t inform the decon workflow; and reporting only contamination status omits timing and who carried out the actions, which are necessary for proper follow-up and record-keeping.