To prevent accidental start-up and injury, what practice should you follow before performing maintenance on a power tool?

• A. Unplug or disconnect the tool
• B. Leave it plugged in if you expect to resume soon
• C. Remove the battery only after finishing
• D. Turn off the breaker but leave plugged in

Answer: (A)

To prevent accidental start-up and injury, de-energize the tool before maintenance. The safest method is to unplug the tool from its outlet or disconnect the power source; for cordless tools, remove the battery. This stops all energy flow and prevents the tool from starting if a switch is bumped or a capacitor or circuit re-energizes. Leaving it plugged in, relying on a breaker, or removing the battery only after you’re finished keeps a path for power and can still allow a start, which is why those practices are unsafe. Always lockout/tagout if your shop uses it to add an extra layer of protection.