Which safety practice is described with the disconnecting means regarding operation and personnel presence?

• A. Prohibit operation and indicate that personnel are at work.
• B. Allow operation with caution.
• C. Bypass safety features.
• D. No safety action required.

Answer: (A)

When a worker is at the equipment or performing maintenance, the energy sources must be isolated and protected from being re-energized. The safest and most appropriate practice is to prohibit operation and clearly indicate that personnel are at work by locking out and tagging the disconnecting means. This creates a physical barrier to startup and provides a visible warning that maintenance is in progress, so no one can accidentally energize the equipment. Allowing operation with caution or bypassing safety features does not truly prevent unexpected energization, and saying no safety action is required ignores the clear risk to workers.