Final answer:
The first response should prioritize safety by checking for injuries, using personal protective equipment like gloves and goggles, and carefully cleaning up the broken glass and spilled cleaner with a dustpan and broom.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a child breaks a bottle of industrial strength cleaner in a hardware store, the associate's first response should prioritize safety. The associate should make sure that nobody is injured and if needed, attend to anyone who may have been hurt by the broken glass or chemicals.
Next, using appropriate personal protective equipment is essential. Gloves and goggles should be worn during the cleanup process to prevent injury from the chemical or the broken glass. Importantly, the broken glass should be swept up using a dustpan and broom, and never handled with bare hands to avoid cuts. The cleanup should be done carefully, ensuring that all fragments of glass and any spilled cleaner are thoroughly removed.