What should you do if you find a steam leak?

• A. Stay away from it and report it to the appropriate personnel.
• B. Try to patch the leak yourself.
• C. Shut off the main power immediately.
• D. Ignore and continue working.

Answer: (A)

When a steam leak is found, the safest approach is to keep your distance from the leaking area and report it to the appropriate personnel or supervisor. Steam under pressure can cause serious burns and injury, and trying to fix the leak yourself with no training can make the situation worse or lead to additional hazards. Shutting off the main power is not the remedy to a steam leak and can create other electrical or system problems. Ignoring the leak is simply unsafe. By reporting it, trained maintenance can assess the risk, depressurize the line safely, and perform the repair with proper procedures and protective gear. In the meantime, stay clear of the area and avoid touching nearby equipment.