Which item should be removed before starting rotating equipment?

• A. Jewelry
• B. Safety glasses
• C. Gloves
• D. Dust mask

Answer: (A)

Loose jewelry creates the biggest entanglement hazard with rotating equipment. Rings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces can catch on belts, gears, or shafts as the machine starts or runs, wrapping around moving parts and pulling you toward the machinery. That sudden pull can cause severe injuries, so removing jewelry before powering up is essential.

Protective gear like safety glasses and dust masks is important for shielding eyes and lungs, and they don’t pose the same immediate entanglement risk. Gloves can also be hazardous around rotating parts because fabric or fingers can be snagged, so operational procedures often call for removing jewelry first to minimize the most dangerous risk.