Who may exercise stop work authority and under what condition?

• A. To halt operations only with supervisor approval.
• B. To halt operations when there is imminent risk.
• C. To halt only non-crane tasks.
• D. To stop once per shift.

Answer: (B)

Stop Work Authority is about taking immediate action to prevent harm. The best answer reflects that anyone on the site who detects an imminent risk has the authority to halt operations right away, without waiting for supervisor permission. In crane work, hazards can appear suddenly—think of a rigging failure, a swinging load, unstable outriggers, or contact with energized lines—and the only safe move is to stop and fix the issue before continuing. This authority is not limited to crane tasks alone, and it isn’t restricted to only once per shift; it applies whenever a dangerous condition is present. The other options imply delays or restrictions that would prevent a rapid, protective response to emerging hazards.