What should employees do if they discover an improper lockout/tagout?

Employees should report an improper lockout/tagout immediately to a supervisor because this action is crucial for maintaining workplace safety. Lockout/tagout procedures are designed to ensure that machinery or equipment is properly shut down and unable to be restarted while maintenance or servicing work is being performed. When an improper lockout/tagout is discovered, it signifies a potential safety hazard that could lead to accidental startup or release of hazardous energy, which can result in serious injury or even fatality.

By reporting the issue to a supervisor, the situation can be assessed properly, and corrective actions can be taken to ensure that proper safety protocols are followed. This not only protects the individual who discovered the improper procedure but also safeguards all other employees who may be at risk. Ignoring the issue, attempting to fix it without proper authorization, or waiting until the end of the shift could expose employees to unnecessary danger and undermines the very purpose of the lockout/tagout procedures.