Which of the following is an acceptable form of communication to establish 3-Step Protection?

An acceptable form of communication to establish 3-Step Protection is direct verbal request from the engineer. This method is typically favored in operational environments due to its immediacy and clarity, ensuring that the information is communicated in real-time and understood without delay. In critical safety scenarios like 3-Step Protection, it's essential to have a clear and unambiguous interaction, which verbal requests can provide. Additionally, the engineer can explain any specifics or nuances in the request that may be important for safety protocols, which can help maneuver around potential misunderstandings that may occur with written forms of communication.

Other methods of communication, such as written requests, calls to a supervisor, or text messages, may introduce delays or require additional steps to ensure the information is understood and acted upon correctly. In the context of safety protocols, avoiding those potential complications reinforces why direct verbal communication is the most effective choice.