What is necessary to confirm the equipment is in a safe state before starting it again?

To confirm that the equipment is in a safe state before starting it again, ensuring that all personal LOTO (Lockout/Tagout) locks have been removed is crucial. The Lockout/Tagout procedures are designed to ensure that machines and equipment are properly shut off and not able to be started up again before maintenance or service work is completed.

Removing all personal LOTO locks indicates that the individual who was performing maintenance has finished their work and confirms that no one is left working on the equipment. This step minimizes the risk of accidents or injuries that could occur if the equipment were to be energized without everyone being aware or ready for it.

In contrast, other choices might not guarantee safety in the same way. For instance, removing all safety gear from the area could create vulnerabilities, checking maintenance logs doesn't directly confirm the safe condition of the equipment, and seeking verbal approval could lead to misunderstandings if not all partners are present or if communication is unclear. Therefore, the best practice for ensuring safety is to confirm the removal of all personal LOTO locks.