What must be used at all times on all portable, power driven tools?

Using guards on portable, power-driven tools is essential for ensuring safety during operation. Guards are safety devices designed to protect the operator from potential hazards such as rotating blades, moving parts, or ejected debris. They help to prevent accidental contact with dangerous parts of the machinery, which can reduce the risk of injuries such as cuts, lacerations, or more severe accidents.

In many regulatory standards and safety protocols, the presence and proper functioning of guards on tools are mandatory. They serve as a primary line of defense against the inherent risks of operating power tools, especially in construction and remodeling settings where such tools are frequently used.

While protective gloves and safety goggles are also critical safety equipment that should be used in conjunction with power tools, their roles are more about personal protection from external hazards rather than guarding the tools themselves. Noise-canceling headphones are beneficial for protecting hearing in high-noise environments, but they do not provide direct protection against the tools themselves. Thus, using guards is a fundamental requirement to promote workplace safety in handling portable power tools.