What should you do if you cannot follow a procedure as written?

• A. Stop the job, put it in a safe condition, and contact your supervisor.
• B. Continue and note the deviation later.
• C. Change the procedure on the fly.
• D. Ignore the issue.

Answer: (A)

When you can’t follow a procedure as written, safety requires stopping work, securing the situation, and getting guidance from a supervisor. Halting the job prevents actions that could create new hazards or worsen the ones already present, and putting things in a safe condition means isolating or shutting down equipment as needed, securing the area, and preventing unintended access. After you’ve paused and secured things, informing your supervisor allows you to receive the approved path forward, whether that means a revised procedure, a work authorization, or a supervisor’s specific instructions. This approach keeps risk under control and ensures that work continues only under proper instructions.

Continuing and noting the deviation afterward still leaves the hazard present and unaddressed, and changing the procedure on the fly bypasses safeguards that were put in place for a reason. Ignoring the issue is dangerous and could lead to an accident.