What safety consideration is necessary when working with recovery equipment?

The correct choice emphasizes the importance of checking recovery equipment for leaks to ensure safe operation. When working with refrigeration and air conditioning systems, the potential for refrigerant leaks poses both environmental and health risks. Refrigerants can be harmful to human health, and leaks may lead to atmospheric release, contributing to ozone depletion or global warming, depending on the type of refrigerant used. Thus, verifying that recovery equipment is free from leaks prior to use is crucial for the safety of both the technician and the environment.

While other considerations, such as wearing gloves for personal protection, ensuring proper grounding for safe electrical operation, and using equipment rated for high pressure, are all important safety practices, checking for leaks directly addresses a critical aspect of refrigeration recovery that could lead to immediate hazards if not properly managed. Each of these practices is essential in a broader safety protocol, but the act of leak checking stands out as a proactive measure that must be performed routinely before engaging in recovery work.