I need to stop a junior apprentice or crew member before they drill or cut
Use a calm hold-the-work script. Stop the action first, then verify. You are not being dramatic when the work affects safety, rated assemblies, structure, access, or hidden systems.
Hold up - I need to verify this wall/location before we drill/cut. It may affect [rated wall/access/structure/unknown material]. Let me get the foreman before we touch it.
Watch out
Do not let a junior keep drilling/cutting because you are worried about sounding bossy.
Check
Say “hold up” clearly before the cut/drill happens.
Name the reason: rated wall, unknown behind surface, access, structural, wrong location.
Move the tool away from the surface if needed.
Call foreman/journeyman with photo and location.
Keep it about verification, not blame.
Steps
Say “hold up” clearly before the cut/drill happens.
Name the reason: rated wall, unknown behind surface, access, structural, wrong location.
Move the tool away from the surface if needed.
Call foreman/journeyman with photo and location.
Keep it about verification, not blame.
Say this to your foreman
Hold up - I need to verify this wall/location before we drill/cut. It may affect [rated wall/access/structure/unknown material]. Let me get the foreman before we touch it.