Which of the following should be done before beginning work on machinery?

Before beginning work on machinery, following Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures is crucial for ensuring safety. LOTO procedures are designed to prevent the accidental energization or release of hazardous energy while maintenance or servicing is performed on machinery. By securing the machinery and making sure it cannot be accidentally started, workers can substantially reduce the risk of serious injuries.

While reviewing manuals for machinery operation is indeed important for understanding how to operate equipment safely, it does not address the immediate dangers of working with machinery that may still have energy sources connected. Similarly, starting the machinery to check its functionality, if not done under controlled conditions, can introduce unnecessary risk, and simply wearing safety gloves, while a necessary part of personal protective equipment, does not provide comprehensive safety measures on its own. Prioritizing LOTO ensures that all personnel are safeguarded from unexpected machinery movement and associated hazards while they conduct their work.