Before working on electrical equipment in a lab, which safety practices should be followed?

Before working on electrical equipment in a lab, which safety practices should be followed?

• A. De-energize, lockout/tagout, verify zero energy with a meter, wear PPE, avoid jewelry, use insulated tools, and keep dry
• B. Turn off the power and proceed without PPE
• C. Only use dry hands and no PPE is required
• D. Ignore lockout/tagout procedures if the task seems safe

Answer: (A)

Before touching electrical equipment, the priority is controlling electrical hazards through energy management and personal protection. The safest sequence is to fully de-energize the system, apply a lockout/tagout so it cannot be re-energized, and then verify zero energy with a meter before starting work. Wearing appropriate PPE for the task—such as insulated gloves and eye protection—reduces risk from any residual energy, and removing jewelry prevents conductive paths that could cause burns or shocks. Using insulated tools helps prevent current from finding an unintended path, and keeping the work area dry minimizes the chance of conduction through moisture. Skipping any of these steps leaves you exposed to shock, arc flash, burns, or unexpected re-energization.

Before touching electrical equipment, the priority is controlling electrical hazards through energy management and personal protection. The safest sequence is to fully de-energize the system, apply a lockout/tagout so it cannot be re-energized, and then verify zero energy with a meter before starting work. Wearing appropriate PPE for the task—such as insulated gloves and eye protection—reduces risk from any residual energy, and removing jewelry prevents conductive paths that could cause burns or shocks. Using insulated tools helps prevent current from finding an unintended path, and keeping the work area dry minimizes the chance of conduction through moisture. Skipping any of these steps leaves you exposed to shock, arc flash, burns, or unexpected re-energization.