What is the two-part safety procedure required when working on electrical switchgear?

• A. Locked out and tagged out
• B. Tagged out and locked out
• C. Powered off and unplugged
• D. Disabled and labeled

Answer: (A)

To work safely on electrical switchgear, you must isolate the energy source using Lockout/Tagout. Lockout involves placing a lock on the energy-isolating device so the equipment cannot be re-energized. Tagout adds a warning tag that identifies who is doing the work and what is being done, signaling others not to operate the equipment. Together, they provide a physical barrier plus clear communication, reducing the risk of accidental start-up or unexpectedly stored energy during maintenance.

This is the best approach because a lock physically prevents re-energizing, and the tag communicates essential information and accountability. Simply powering off or unplugging the gear is not enough, since switchgear can have multiple sources of energy, may be hard-wired, or could be re-energized from another point. A label alone or vague terms like “disabled and labeled” do not provide the required level of control to ensure safety. The combined lockout and tagout procedure is the standard method to safely perform work on energized electrical equipment.