You notice a teammate skipping lockout-tagout procedures. What should you do first?

• A. Inform a supervisor immediately
• B. Ignore and continue
• C. Wait until break
• D. Document later

Answer: (A)

Lockout-tagout procedures are about isolating equipment from all energy sources so it can’t start unexpectedly during maintenance. When you notice a teammate skipping these steps, the first and most important action is to escalate the situation by informing a supervisor right away so the proper safety controls can be applied and the work can be halted if needed. This immediate escalation protects everyone nearby from potential injury and ensures the correct lockout-tagout sequence is followed.

Ignoring the issue, waiting until break, or choosing to document it later doesn’t stop the hazard in the moment and leaves someone at risk. Notifying a supervisor promptly moves the safety process forward and prevents harm.