How should you respond to a fire on a conveyor belt?

• A. Ignore and walk away
• B. Stop equipment using the emergency stop, use fire extinguishers if safe, evacuate if necessary, and notify supervisor
• C. Continue operation until a supervisor arrives
• D. Call radio only

Answer: (B)

When a fire occurs on a conveyor belt, the priority is to stop the hazard, protect people, and summon help. The first action is to halt the belt using the emergency stop, which cuts power and stops movement so the fire isn’t fed by the belt or by burning material. If it’s safe and you’ve been trained, you can use a fire extinguisher to try to suppress the fire, but only if you can do so without risking yourself. If the fire is spreading, or you can’t control it, evacuate along established routes and make sure everyone is accounted for. Finally, notify your supervisor so the incident can be managed and additional firefighting support can be brought in. This sequence—stop the equipment, attempt suppression only if safe, evacuate if needed, and inform supervision—addresses the immediate danger, reduces spread, and coordinates a proper response. Ignoring the fire, continuing operation, or relying on a single action alone leaves people at risk and allows the fire to grow.