What should be used to protect workers from accidental contact with energized parts?

Using rubber or plastic cover-up equipment is essential for protecting workers from accidental contact with energized parts in electrical environments. These materials are specifically designed to insulate against electrical currents, significantly reducing the risk of electric shock or injury. Rubber and plastic are non-conductive, which means that they effectively block the path of electricity, ensuring that workers can perform their tasks safely around energized components.

Metal shields, while they can provide some physical barrier, are conductive and do not offer protection against electricity. Wooden barriers might protect against physical contact or falling objects but are also not reliable against electrical hazards. Fabric safety gloves may provide some level of protection but are not suitable for situations where exposure to energized parts is a risk; they may not be insulated to handle electrical currents effectively. Therefore, rubber or plastic cover-up equipment is the most appropriate choice for ensuring worker safety in these scenarios.