The low-speed main engines I’ve worked with, if the EOT was in an ahead position and the engine was turning astern (or vice versa) an ear splitting alarm would go off and the “Wrong Way Alarm” would light.
Wrong Way Alarm**
If the engine rotates in the direction opposite to that ordered by the main telegraph the emergency shutdown solenoid valve is energized and a signal is sent to the governor cutting off the fuel supply to the main engine. At the same time the WRONG WAY lamp starts flashing and an alarm buzzer is activated.
From here: https://knowledgeofsea.com/main-engine-manoeuvring-control/