Which safety practice is essential before servicing hydraulic equipment?

Which safety practice is essential before servicing hydraulic equipment?

• A. Depressurize before servicing, secure lines, wear PPE, avoid exposure to high-pressure leaks, use proper tools, maintain guards, follow lockout/tagout.
• B. Work with lines still under pressure for speed.
• C. Remove all guards to access parts.
• D. Ignore PPE requirements.

Answer: (A)

Before servicing hydraulic equipment, you must isolate and relieve all stored energy so nothing can move or spray while you work. Depressurizing the system stops high‑pressure fluid from suddenly escaping, which can penetrate skin, burn, or injure you. Securing lines prevents accidental releases or movement, and wearing appropriate PPE protects against contact with hydraulic fluid and potential burns or injections. Using proper tools reduces the chance of slips or damage, keeping guards in place protects against moving parts, and following lockout/tagout ensures the equipment can’t re-energize while you’re working. Together, these steps create a safe work environment and prevent injuries from high‑pressure leaks or unexpected startup. Working with lines under pressure, removing guards, or skipping PPE are all hazardous practices that increase the risk of serious injury.

Before servicing hydraulic equipment, you must isolate and relieve all stored energy so nothing can move or spray while you work. Depressurizing the system stops high‑pressure fluid from suddenly escaping, which can penetrate skin, burn, or injure you. Securing lines prevents accidental releases or movement, and wearing appropriate PPE protects against contact with hydraulic fluid and potential burns or injections. Using proper tools reduces the chance of slips or damage, keeping guards in place protects against moving parts, and following lockout/tagout ensures the equipment can’t re-energize while you’re working. Together, these steps create a safe work environment and prevent injuries from high‑pressure leaks or unexpected startup. Working with lines under pressure, removing guards, or skipping PPE are all hazardous practices that increase the risk of serious injury.