What safety procedures must qualified employees be competent in when working near energized parts?

Qualified employees must be proficient in lockout/tagout procedures when working near energized parts to ensure their safety and prevent accidental energization of equipment. Lockout/tagout is a critical safety protocol that involves isolating energy sources and preventing the unintentional operation of machinery during maintenance or repair work. By properly securing machines with locks and tags, qualified employees can ensure that no one can inadvertently reactivate the equipment while they are working on it.

This practice significantly reduces the risk of electric shock and injury caused by equipment that could unexpectedly be powered on. Therefore, having competence in lockout/tagout procedures is an essential safety requirement when working in proximity to energized parts, as it directly addresses the hazards associated with electrical systems.

In comparison to the other options, while emergency evacuation, environmental precautions, and hazard communication are also relevant safety concerns in the workplace, they do not specifically address the immediate risks posed by working near energized electrical parts as effectively as lockout/tagout does.