Broken or damaged equipment should be

• A. Left in place until next maintenance window
• B. Repaired by the operator
• C. Reported to a supervisor for repair or replacement
• D. Used until it fails

Answer: (C)

Safety and reliability rely on promptly addressing any broken or damaged equipment. Reporting the issue to a supervisor for repair or replacement ensures a qualified assessment can be made and the right action taken, whether that’s repairing, replacing, or quarantining the unit. This protects people from injury, prevents further damage to the system, and keeps production on track by planning downtime and coordinating parts and technicians. It also enforces proper documentation and lockout/tagout practices so the equipment is isolated until it’s safe to work on. Leaving something damaged in place until the next maintenance window, having an operator attempt a fix, or using it until it fails all create safety risks and unpredictable downtime. If you notice damage, stop using the equipment, tag it as out of service, notify a supervisor, and initiate the repair or replacement process.