What safety procedure should a technician follow when removing any high voltage component?

When handling high voltage components, following safety procedures is critical to prevent electrical shock or accidents. Utilizing the lock out/tag out (LOTO) procedure is a primary safety measure that ensures an electrical circuit is effectively isolated and cannot be inadvertently energized. This process involves shutting off the power to the equipment at the source, securing it by placing a lock and a tag that communicates that maintenance is in progress. This prevents anyone else from turning the power back on while a technician is working on the equipment, thus significantly reducing the risk of electrical hazards.

In addition to this procedure, wearing insulated gloves, using a multimeter to check for voltage, and turning off the main switch are all important safety actions, but they serve as secondary or complementary measures to the lock out/tag out procedure. Locking out and tagging out provides a comprehensive safety barrier that should always be prioritized when dealing with high voltage components, making it the most appropriate answer in this context.