Occasionally some of the men in a department will indulge in active horseplay. This should be:

• A. Encouraged because it promotes good fellowship
• B. Permitted as it is a form of relaxation
• C. Discouraged because some of the men might not like it
• D. Stopped immediately because it is likely to cause accidents

Answer: (D)

The main idea is safety and preventing harm in the workplace. Horseplay in a department creates real risks of injuries to coworkers and damage to equipment, so the responsible action is to stop it immediately to prevent accidents and uphold safety standards. Even if some workers view it as lightening the mood, safety policies must take precedence over personal preferences; allowing risky behavior to continue sends the wrong message and can lead to more serious incidents. The reason is not about whether some people might not like it, but about the potential for harm. Saying it should be encouraged or treated as relaxation ignores the risk, and assuming it should be tolerated because of morale overlooks the duty to keep everyone safe. Intervening promptly preserves a professional, safe environment for all.