Why is it important to use hot sticks when working with electrical systems at different potentials?

Using hot sticks when working with electrical systems at different potentials is fundamentally important for ensuring safety from electric shock. Hot sticks, or insulated tools, allow workers to perform tasks at a safe distance from live components while maintaining insulation from electrical energy.

When electrical systems operate at high voltages, the risk of electric shock increases significantly. If a person were to come into direct contact with an electrically energized part, they could experience severe injury or even fatality. Hot sticks provide the necessary distance and insulation, which mitigates the risk of electric current passing through the worker's body.

In situations where workers must interface with equipment that operates at different potentials, the use of these tools is crucial in preventing accidental contact with high voltage, which can manifest as an electrical arc or short circuit that poses serious safety hazards.

Regarding the other options, while there may be communication protocols involved in working on electrical systems, enhancing communication is not the primary function of hot sticks. Legal requirements can necessitate safety practices, but the hot sticks' main purpose is not simply to adhere to regulations. Finally, improving efficiency is not a defining characteristic of hot sticks; their primary role centers around enhancing safety by reducing the risk of shock.