What should a Qualified Electrical Worker do if they find a defective harness?

When a Qualified Electrical Worker discovers a defective harness, the appropriate action is to document the defect and remove it from service. This process is crucial for ensuring workplace safety and maintaining equipment integrity. By documenting the defect, the worker creates a record that can help identify patterns of failure, inform future training, and guide purchasing decisions for replacements. Removing the defective harness from service prevents further use and potential accidents or injuries that could arise from its continued operation.

Repairing a harness on-site can compromise safety if proper protocols are not followed, as it may not fully restore the equipment to its original safe condition. Continuing to use the harness until a new one is available can expose the worker to significant risks, as the defect may lead to failure during use. Handing the harness to a supervisor for inspection, while possibly useful, does not immediately mitigate the risk of using the defective equipment, and a clear, documented action of removing it from service is more suitable. Thus, documenting the defect and taking it out of service serves as the most responsible and safety-focused approach.