OSH Security Practice Test

You have a statement from a person handwritten on blue lined paper in pencil, what do you do?

1. Dispose of it and submit a proper report

2. Ask the person who wrote it to re-write the statement in black ink and the proper format

3. Ask your supervisor to speak to the person who made the statement

4. Append the statement to your report

The correct answer is: Append the statement to your report

Appending the handwritten statement to your report is the correct approach in this situation. Handwritten statements can provide valuable firsthand accounts of events and may serve as important evidence in an investigation or record-keeping process. Including the original handwritten statement, even if it is written in pencil on blue lined paper, preserves the authenticity of the person's account and keeps the documentation clear and accurate. It is important to note that while formatting and presentation are significant in official documents, the content and integrity of the witness's account are of primary importance. By appending the statement to the report, you ensure that all relevant information is retained and that the person’s perspective is accurately represented. The other options may present potential issues. Disposing of the statement disregards crucial evidence and may hinder the investigation. Asking the person to re-write it could lead to concerns about the credibility of the statement or the possibility of altering original thoughts. Involving a supervisor may delay the process or complicate the situation unnecessarily, especially if the person's original statement can already be included as evidence in its current form.