How should a Deputy respond to unusual noise or vibration from equipment?

• A. Ignore and continue work.
• B. Report to HR.
• C. Stop or isolate the equipment if necessary, investigate cause, and implement corrective actions with unlock permit if required.
• D. Increase production.

Answer: (C)

Unusual noise or vibration is a warning sign of a potential fault or energy release in equipment, so the safest response is to stop or isolate the equipment if necessary. This removes energy from the system and prevents exposing workers to moving parts or a possible failure. After isolating, you should investigate the cause to identify the fault and determine what corrective actions are needed to prevent a recurrence. When work restarts, follow the permit-to-work process and use an unlock permit if required to ensure all hazards are controlled and the equipment is safe to energize again. This approach protects workers, minimizes damage, and keeps the operation in control. Ignoring the warning, contacting HR for a safety issue, or pushing production despite the risk would not address the hazard and could lead to serious harm.