What should you never remove from a cord?

The grounding prong is a critical safety feature of electrical cords designed to protect users from electric shock. It provides a path for electrical current to safely dissipate into the ground in the event of a fault, such as a short circuit. If the ground prong is removed, the cord can become extremely hazardous, as it eliminates this protective measure. This can lead to situations where an electrical fault could cause the metal parts of an appliance to become live, putting anyone who comes into contact with it at serious risk of electric shock or even electrocution.

Maintaining the integrity of the ground prong is thus essential for ensuring both the safe use of electrical devices and compliance with safety standards. Its presence in electrical setups is a requirement in many safety regulations, and disregarding it can lead to serious implications for equipment safety and overall electrical safety culture in the workplace.