Safety Orientation for Supervisors Practice Exam

Which action should you take if you observe personnel working inappropriately with lead and asbestos?

1. Ignore the situation if no immediate danger is present

2. Notify a supervisor or authority

3. Record the incident for future reference

4. Confront the workers directly

The correct answer is: Notify a supervisor or authority

When personnel are observed working inappropriately with hazardous materials like lead and asbestos, notifying a supervisor or authority is the most responsible course of action. This is because both lead and asbestos pose serious health risks, and it is critical to ensure that proper safety protocols are followed to protect the health and safety of all workers involved. By alerting a supervisor or designated authority, you initiate a formal response to address the situation. Supervisors are trained to handle these types of incidents and can take the necessary steps to rectify the unsafe practices, provide additional training, or implement safety measures to prevent future occurrences. This approach ensures that safety protocols are respected and that effective action is taken promptly. In contrast, ignoring the situation could lead to prolonged exposure and health risks to workers. Recording the incident for future reference would delay immediate intervention and does not address the ongoing risk. Confronting the workers directly might create tension or conflict and could also be unsafe, especially if the individuals are unaware of the dangers or safety standards.