What should be done with equipment subjected to impact loading?

• A. Repaired and reused
• B. Remove from service and destroyed/discarded
• C. Retested and approved for use
• D. Painted and re-labeled

Answer: (B)

Impact loading can cause internal damage such as cracks or fatigue that may not be visible from the outside. This hidden compromise can make the equipment unsafe to use again, even if it looks fine. Repairing, reusing, or simply retesting might not guarantee safety because defects could remain or reappear under future loads. Painting and relabeling does not address structural integrity and can mislead users. The only safe course is to remove the equipment from service and discard it to prevent a failure.