What must you do when entering a lower zone?

• A. Report to your supervisor before entering.
• B. Do not scan; hazards are ignored.
• C. Always scan when entering a lower zone.
• D. Scan only if you suspect a problem.

Answer: (C)

Always scan when entering a lower zone. This quick check with your monitoring instrument is done to confirm there are no hidden hazards—such as unexpected radiation, gases, or contaminants—and to ensure your equipment is functioning properly before you move into that area. Scanning helps catch conditions that aren’t apparent by sight and tells you whether it’s safe to proceed or if you need to follow additional safety steps. Reporting to a supervisor before entering can be part of certain procedures, but the essential safety action here is to perform the scan first to verify the area is safe. Skipping the scan overlooks potential risks, and waiting to scan only when you suspect a problem misses routine protections you should always follow.