Before operating any power tool, you should ensure you can

• A. Operate all switches and controls
• B. Wear safety glasses
• C. Check lubrication levels
• D. Use the smallest bit possible

Answer: (A)

Before powering up a power tool, you must know how to operate all switches and controls. This lets you start, stop, and adjust settings correctly, and it lets you shut the tool off quickly if something changes or goes wrong. Tools often have multiple controls—on/off switches, speed adjustments, locks, and guards—that affect how the tool behaves. If you understand what each control does and where it is, you can avoid accidental starts and respond safely to issues like a jam or unusual movement.

Wearing safety glasses is important for eye protection, but it doesn’t ensure you can operate the tool safely. Checking lubrication levels is a maintenance step that helps the tool run smoothly over time, not a readiness check for immediate operation. Using the smallest bit is about choosing the right accessory for a task, not about your ability to control the tool. So knowing how to use every control is the best first step to operate a power tool safely.