Before performing work on any electrical equipment, what safety action should an operator perform?

Before performing work on any electrical equipment, what safety action should an operator perform?

• A. Lock out and tag the equipment.
• B. Verify power is on.
• C. Remove the fuse.
• D. Wear gloves.

Answer: (A)

Lock out and tag out is the action that prevents any energy from reaching the equipment while you work. By isolating the electrical supply and applying a physical lock plus a warning tag, you create a barrier that stops others from re-energizing the machine until you’re finished and remove the lock. This protects you from electrical shock and arc flash and is the standard, proven way to control energy during maintenance.

Wearing gloves or removing a fuse won’t guarantee safety because they don’t automatically de-energize the system or prevent someone from energizing it again. Verifying power is on would actually increase risk, since the goal is to confirm the equipment is not energized. After isolating the energy, you should verify de-energization before proceeding.