What is a precaution to prevent injury prior to equipment operation?

Grounding the equipment is essential before operating any machinery or electronic devices. This precaution helps prevent electrical shock and ensures the safety of the operator and others nearby. Grounding provides a pathway for excess electrical energy to dissipate safely into the ground, which significantly reduces the risk of injury from electrical faults or surges that can occur during equipment operation.

This safety measure is particularly important in environments where moisture may be present or where static discharge can pose a risk. By ensuring that equipment is properly grounded, you create a safer working atmosphere, which is a fundamental principle in equipment operation and workplace safety protocols.

While other options like powering on devices, disconnecting cables, and checking software updates may be relevant to operational readiness or maintenance, they do not directly address immediate physical safety concerning electrical risks, making grounding the most relevant precaution in this context.