If there is a fire in the work area, what is the first thing a worker should do?

The primary focus during a fire in the work area is the safety of the workers. Exiting immediately in accordance with the evacuation plan is essential because it prioritizes personal safety over other actions. The evacuation plan is designed to guide workers quickly and efficiently out of the area to minimize the risk of injury or exposure to harmful environments, including smoke inhalation or potential structural hazards.

Attempting to put out the fire or gathering personal belongings could delay evacuation and increase risk. While notifying the fire department is important, doing so should generally occur after ensuring that all individuals are safe and outside the hazardous area. The immediate priority in the event of a fire must always be to escape and ensure all personnel are accounted for.