Who should you contact when a safety decision requires more experience or authority, such as deciding about a safety shave?

• A. The owner
• B. A supervisor
• C. Another groomer
• D. No one

Answer: (B)

When a safety decision needs more experience or authority, you escalate to the supervisor. Supervisors are trained to interpret safety policies, weigh risks, and make decisions that protect both the animal and the team. They hold the authority to approve actions that go beyond a routine grooming choice and to ensure decisions align with store or company rules. If the supervisor isn’t available, follow the established chain of command or policy, but avoid making high-stakes safety calls on your own. Fellow groomers may have hands-on skill, but they don’t have final authority to approve safety actions, and the owner might not be reachable in the moment. This is about using the right level of authority to keep everyone safe.