What is required to be in place on all stationary power tools?

• A. Guards
• B. Safety goggles
• C. Hearing protection
• D. Lockout-tagout

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that stationary power tools must have a guarding system to prevent contact with moving parts during normal use. Guards create a physical barrier between your hands and the blade, belt, spindle, or other moving components, which dramatically reduces the risk of severe cuts or entanglement. They also help contain fragments if a tool fails. Personal protective equipment like safety goggles or hearing protection is important, but it doesn’t stop your hands from reaching into a dangerous area or stop flying debris in the same way a guard does. Lockout-tagout is about making sure a machine is safely shut off during maintenance, not a standard feature for every operation. Therefore, guards are the essential requirement on all stationary power tools.