What should be done if a HAZMAT car's seal is found to be broken?

When a HAZMAT car's seal is found to be broken, stopping and investigating the situation is critical for safety and compliance with regulations. A break in the seal can indicate potential leakage or tampering, which poses risks to both personnel and the environment.

Investigating the issue allows for an assessment of the situation, including determining if any hazardous materials may have leaked and if there are immediate dangers that need to be addressed. This step is essential to ensure that appropriate actions are taken to mitigate any risks and comply with safety protocols.

Continuing operations as normal without investigation would disregard safety procedures and could lead to severe consequences, including accidents or environmental harm. Notifying the next station is important but should not be the first action taken; understanding the source of the problem comes first. Finally, securing the area and waiting could be part of the response after an initial assessment, but the immediate action remains the investigation to understand the nature of the breach.