What action should be taken if methane levels reach 1%?

When methane levels reach 1%, the correct action is to stop operations and improve ventilation. This response is critical because methane is a highly flammable gas, and at 1% concentration, it poses a significant explosion risk. Stopping operations ensures the safety of all personnel and prevents any ignition sources that could lead to a hazardous situation.

Improving ventilation in the affected area helps to disperse the methane and bring its concentration down to safe levels. This proactive measure is essential to maintaining a safe working environment and minimizing the risk of a methane explosion, which could have catastrophic consequences.

The other options suggest either continuing operations or only monitoring the levels, which could increase the risk of an incident. Notifying the foreman is important as a part of the safety protocol, but immediate action to halt operations and mitigate the risks must take precedence. Therefore, the correct choice emphasizes safety and risk management in a potentially dangerous situation.