Before shortening a governor rope, what safety steps should be taken?

The correct answer involves supporting the tension sheave and applying lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures before making any adjustments to the governor rope. This is crucial because the governor rope is part of the safety mechanism that regulates the speed of equipment. If not properly secured and maintained, adjusting this component could lead to dangerous releases of tension, which can cause injury or equipment damage.

Supporting the tension sheave ensures that the system is stable and that no unexpected movements occur while you're working on the governor. Lockout/tagout is a vital safety procedure that prevents accidental power supply restoration, securing the machinery so it cannot be turned on inadvertently while performing maintenance.

This safety step is critical in trade practices, as it aligns with industry standards for ensuring that personal safety is prioritized during maintenance operations. The other choices, while they may seem relevant, do not address the dual necessity of securely managing the mechanical aspects of the system while preventing access to power, which is vital when working on sensitive mechanisms like governor ropes.