What is the first step in an emergency involving asbestos?

The first step in an emergency involving asbestos is to evacuate and secure the area. This is crucial because asbestos is a harmful material that can pose serious health risks when disturbed, potentially releasing fibers into the air. Ensuring that people are safely removed from the vicinity helps to prevent exposure and further contamination. Securing the area also prevents unauthorized access, protecting anyone who may inadvertently enter and become exposed to asbestos fibers.

Additionally, while notifying authorities and assessing risks are important parts of a comprehensive emergency response, these actions should follow the immediate evacuation to ensure safety first. Cleanup procedures can only begin after the area has been secured and the risk to human health has been managed, making the evacuation and securing of the area the immediate priority.