What should be used to remove chips from machines instead of using your hands?

• A. Rag
• B. Brush
• C. Vacuum
• D. Compressed Air

Answer: (A)

Never use your hands to remove chips from machines. Chips can be sharp and hide in tight spaces, and touching them can lead to cuts or snags. The safest and most effective approach is to use a tool that keeps your hands away while containing the chips. A vacuum is the best option here because it can reach into tool cavities and surfaces, sucks up the chips, and keeps the workspace clean without dispersing sharp fragments or dust. A brush can help sweep chips from flat areas, but it may miss chips in gaps and can generate scattered particles. A rag isn’t reliable since it can shed fibers, snag on edges, or become entangled with moving parts, leaving chips behind. Compressed air can blow chips into eyes or skin and spread oil or dust, posing additional hazards. So, using a vacuum to remove chips provides the safest, most controlled method for clearing chips without using hands.