What steps should you take after witnessing an incident involving intoxicated patron safety?

• A. Complete an incident report, notify a supervisor, review policies, and retrain if needed.
• B. Ignore the incident.
• C. Remove the patron without reporting.
• D. Blame staff.

Answer: (A)

When handling a situation involving an intoxicated patron, the priority is to document what happened and use that information to improve safety and adherence to policies. Completing an incident report creates a clear record of the incident, the actions taken, and the outcomes observed. This record supports accountability, helps with any required follow-up or investigations, and provides data for reviewing how similar situations should be handled in the future.

Notifying a supervisor is essential because someone with authority can make decisions about immediate safety actions, determine if further escalation is needed, and ensure proper steps are taken consistent with workplace policies. Following up by reviewing policies keeps your team aligned with current procedures and highlights any gaps that may have contributed to the incident. If the review reveals areas for improvement, retraining helps address those gaps, reinforcing appropriate de-escalation, recognition of intoxication signs, and safe service practices to prevent recurrence.

Choosing to ignore the incident, remove the patron without reporting, or blaming staff avoids accountability and can hide safety issues, undermining both customer and staff safety and the facility’s compliance with policy.