What specific safety measure should be employed when working with electrically powered tools?

Employing lockout/tagout procedures is a critical safety measure when working with electrically powered tools. This method ensures that tools are properly shut off and unable to be started again until maintenance or servicing is completed. The lockout/tagout process involves isolating energy sources, which reduces the risk of accidental energy release that could lead to injury. By applying locks or tags to energy controls, workers can prevent unauthorized operation of the tools, which is especially important when multiple users may be involved or when maintenance is required.

In contrast, while the use of gloves and wearing hard hats are important personal protective measures in many work environments, they do not specifically address the unique risks associated with the use of electrically powered tools. Similarly, regular tool cleaning contributes to overall tool maintenance and safety but does not directly mitigate electrical hazards.