Which precaution is essential before performing lubrication on equipment?

Which precaution is essential before performing lubrication on equipment?

• A. Shut off, lock out, tag out
• B. Remove drain plug
• C. Record lubrication in a maintenance log
• D. Make sure all old lubricant is drained

Answer: (A)

Before lubricating equipment, the crucial safety step is to prevent the machine from starting or releasing stored energy while you work. This is done by shutting off the power and applying a lockout/tagout procedure. Lockout ensures the energy source is physically inaccessible, while a tag warns others not to restore energy while maintenance is in progress. Verifying that the equipment is isolated keeps you safe from moving parts or sudden releases, which can cause serious injury during lubrication, especially when guards or protective covers are removed. Other actions don’t provide this level of protection. Removing a drain plug may create spills or exposure hazards but doesn’t stop the machine from being energized. Recording lubrication in a maintenance log is useful for documentation, not for preventing unexpected startup. Draining old lubricant is a maintenance task, not a safety control to protect you from injury during servicing.

Before lubricating equipment, the crucial safety step is to prevent the machine from starting or releasing stored energy while you work. This is done by shutting off the power and applying a lockout/tagout procedure. Lockout ensures the energy source is physically inaccessible, while a tag warns others not to restore energy while maintenance is in progress. Verifying that the equipment is isolated keeps you safe from moving parts or sudden releases, which can cause serious injury during lubrication, especially when guards or protective covers are removed.

Other actions don’t provide this level of protection. Removing a drain plug may create spills or exposure hazards but doesn’t stop the machine from being energized. Recording lubrication in a maintenance log is useful for documentation, not for preventing unexpected startup. Draining old lubricant is a maintenance task, not a safety control to protect you from injury during servicing.