Final answer:
When working with optical fiber, a technician should always wear protective glasses, gloves, and safety aprons as necessary. These precautions are vital to prevent personal injury and ensure the integrity of the fiber optics system that relies on total internal reflection for transmitting communication signals.
Step-by-step explanation:
For safety, a fiber optic technician or installer should always wear protective glasses when working with optical fiber. This protective equipment is essential because handling optical fibers can present certain risks such as eye injuries from fiber shards. Passive safety measures such as the cladding material around optical fibers help prevent light leakage and preserve signal quality, but personal protective gear is crucial to ensure the safety of the technician. Furthermore, because optical fibers employ the principle of total internal reflection to transmit light for communications, their installation and maintenance require careful handling to maintain their effectiveness and integrity.
Additional protective gear includes gloves and safety aprons, which should be used when there is a risk of contact with sharp fragments or broken glass. Following safety protocols and using the correct equipment not only contributes to individual safety but also supports the integrity of the fiber optics system which provides high bandwidth, low loss, and reduced crosstalk for telecommunications infrastructure.