When should you inform a supervisor about a safety risk you identify?

• A. Only at the end of your shift.
• B. Immediately if risk is present, after documenting and implementing any immediate safety measures.
• C. Never, handle it yourself.
• D. Only if the client complains.

Answer: (B)

Prompt reporting of safety risks is essential to protect clients and staff and to trigger the right response. When you identify a risk that is present, take immediate safety steps you can safely apply to reduce or remove the danger. Then document what you found and what you did, and inform your supervisor right away. This lets them assess the risk, coordinate any additional controls, adjust care plans if needed, and ensure the issue is tracked and properly addressed. Waiting until the end of a shift leaves the danger unresolved and exposes people to ongoing harm. Handling it yourself without escalation can miss systemic fixes or necessary follow-up actions. Waiting for a client complaint isn’t a substitute for proactive risk management. So the best approach is to inform immediately after documenting and implementing any immediate safety measures.