Which of the following practices is essential for safe machinery maintenance?

Lockout/tagout procedures are essential for safe machinery maintenance as they ensure that machines are properly shut down and unable to be started up again until maintenance is completed. This practice involves isolating the energy sources that power machinery, which protects workers from accidental machine start-up or release of stored energy while maintenance or repair work is being performed.

Implementing lockout/tagout procedures involves the use of locks and tags to communicate that equipment is out of service and should not be operated. This creates a clear visual cue for all workers present in the area, significantly reducing the risk of injury. Such procedures are critical in preventing serious accidents that can occur from unexpected equipment activation, making them a fundamental aspect of workplace safety protocols in the context of machinery maintenance.