Pepe is observing workers in his company’s warehouse to write a report on safety hazards. Which of the following is the best way for him to report his findings? A. “A number of people stored items improperly.” B. “Alana failed to wear proper safety equipment.” C. “Amelia and Jake stored items improperly.” D. “After questioning Juan during his shift, I determined he does not wear the proper safety equipment.”
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: C. “Amelia and Jake stored items improperly.”
Explanation (300 words):
When writing a report on workplace safety hazards, the goal is to provide accurate, specific, and objective information that can be used to correct unsafe behaviors or improve safety procedures. Option C best meets these criteria by clearly identifying who was involved and what the specific unsafe behavior was, without making subjective judgments or including irrelevant information.
Option A (“A number of people stored items improperly.”) is too vague. It doesn’t specify who was involved, making it difficult for supervisors to follow up or take corrective action. Reports should avoid generalizations and instead provide specific names and behaviors to ensure accountability and targeted improvement.
Option B (“Alana failed to wear proper safety equipment.”) is specific but overly accusatory. The word “failed” can be seen as assigning blame, which may not be appropriate in a factual observation report. Safety reports should be neutral in tone, focusing on observed actions rather than character judgments.
Option D (“After questioning Juan during his shift, I determined he does not wear the proper safety equipment.”) introduces a problematic methodology. Safety observation reports should be based on direct observations, not conclusions drawn from informal questioning. It also includes unnecessary detail about the process, which may compromise the report’s objectivity and could be seen as intrusive or biased.
In contrast, Option C is both specific and factual. It states exactly who was involved (Amelia and Jake) and what the safety issue was (improper storage of items). It avoids assigning blame or including unnecessary commentary. This allows management to address the issue directly and fairly, and helps ensure a safer workplace for everyone.
In summary, Option C demonstrates the best practices in safety reporting: clarity, specificity, objectivity, and relevance.