Under what circumstances is a handwritten 'out of order' sign acceptable for broken equipment?

A handwritten 'out of order' sign is acceptable as an interim emergency measure only because it serves a specific purpose in quickly communicating the status of the equipment to users who may be unaware of its malfunction. This approach allows for immediate action to be taken, ensuring safety and preventing further damage or misuse of the equipment. Once the situation has stabilized or the repairs have been initiated, a more permanent and professionally produced sign can be utilized.

Utilizing a handwritten sign in other scenarios, such as when repairs take less than a week, may lead to confusion regarding the exact timeframe for repairs and could result in an unsafe environment if users are unaware of the status. Placing such signs on any piece of equipment whenever it is not in use lacks a focus on the safety protocols necessary for broken equipment and may incorrectly label functional equipment as non-functional. Finally, labeling all suspected malfunctions without proper evaluation might lead to unnecessary downtime and hinder operations, as not all suspected issues indicate actual malfunctions.