What is the first step to take in the event of a fire in the shop?

The first step to take in the event of a fire in the shop is to activate the fire alarm and evacuate the area. This is crucial because the primary concern in any fire emergency is the safety of all individuals present. Activating the fire alarm alerts everyone in the building to the danger, prompting immediate evacuation. It ensures that all personnel are aware of the situation and can safely exit the premises, reducing the risk of injury or worse.

Evacuating the area also allows trained emergency responders to enter the space to handle the situation without additional risks. People should move to designated safe areas, away from the danger, which provides a clear and organized response to the emergency. This prioritizes human safety, which is paramount in emergency situations, and is a widely accepted protocol in fire safety training.

While using a fire extinguisher or shutting down machines may be appropriate in some situations, they are secondary actions that depend on the nature of the fire and the capability of the individual to combat it safely. Calling for help, such as contacting emergency services, typically follows after evacuating to ensure assistance is on the way, but the first priority remains the immediate safety of those present.