Tools intended to be used with a safety guard must not be used if what is missing?

Tools that are designed to be equipped with a safety guard must not be used if the safety guard is missing because the safety guard is a critical component for ensuring operator safety and compliance with safety protocols. The safety guard serves as a protective barrier around moving parts of the tool, minimizing the risk of injury from accidental contact with these parts during operation.

Using the tool without the safety guard exposes the user to potential hazards, including cuts, lacerations, or more severe injuries associated with the tool's operation. Therefore, the presence of the safety guard is mandated to ensure that the tool operates within its established safety guidelines, making its absence a clear reason to refrain from using the tool.

The other options, while important in different contexts, do not directly influence the fundamental safety of operating the tool itself in the same way that the safety guard does. Without the safety guard, the very purpose of the protection and safety design of the tool is compromised.