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Lockout/Tagout: Protecting Workers from Harm

Lockout/Tagout: Protecting Workers from Harm

What Are Lockout/Tagout Procedures Designed to Do?

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures are critical safety practices designed to prevent accidental energization or release of hazardous energy during maintenance and servicing of machinery and equipment. These procedures protect workers from injuries caused by unexpected machine startups or energy releases. The primary goals of LOTO procedures include:

  • Ensuring Safety: Protecting workers from electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, and other energy hazards.
  • Preventing Accidents: Reducing the risk of injuries and fatalities by controlling hazardous energy sources.
  • Compliance: Meeting regulatory requirements set by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to ensure a safe working environment.

How Does Lockout/Tagout Work?

Lockout/Tagout procedures involve several critical steps to ensure that machinery and equipment remain in a de-energized state during maintenance or servicing:

  1. Preparation: Identify all energy sources associated with the equipment and understand the hazards involved.
  2. Notification: Inform all affected employees about the planned lockout/tagout and the reasons for it.
  3. Shutdown: Turn off the equipment following established shutdown procedures to ensure it is completely powered down.
  4. Isolation: Isolate the equipment from its energy sources. This may involve closing valves, disconnecting power sources, or bleeding hydraulic lines.
  5. Lockout: Apply lockout devices to energy-isolating devices to prevent the accidental re-energization of the machine. Each worker involved in the maintenance should apply their own lock to ensure individual safety.
  6. Tagout: Attach tags to the locked-out devices indicating that the equipment must not be operated. Tags should include the name of the person who applied the lock and the reason for the lockout.
  7. Release Stored Energy: Ensure that any stored energy, such as in capacitors, springs, or hydraulic systems, is safely released or restrained.
  8. Verification: Test the machine or equipment to ensure that it is de-energized and cannot operate. This step confirms the effectiveness of the lockout devices.
  9. Perform Maintenance: Conduct the necessary maintenance or repairs on the de-energized equipment.
  10. Release from Lockout/Tagout: After maintenance is complete, remove all lockout and tagout devices following a proper procedure to ensure no one is at risk when re-energizing the machine.

When Should Lockout/Tagout Be Used?

Lockout/Tagout procedures should be used in any situation where there is a risk of hazardous energy exposure during maintenance or servicing. Specific scenarios include:

  • Routine Maintenance: During regular maintenance tasks that involve disassembling machinery or accessing internal components.
  • Repairs and Adjustments: When repairing or adjusting equipment that requires it to be de-energized.
  • Installation of New Equipment: During the installation or setup of new machinery that involves connecting or disconnecting power sources.
  • Cleaning Operations: When cleaning machinery that requires removing guards or accessing potentially hazardous areas.
  • Inspection and Testing: While inspecting or testing equipment components that could pose an energy hazard.

Implementing Lockout/Tagout procedures is crucial for maintaining a safe workplace and protecting employees from hazardous energy. At 123SafetyGear, we offer comprehensive Lockout/Tagout kits and devices to help you establish effective LOTO protocols. Understanding how LOTO works and knowing when to use these procedures can significantly reduce the risk of workplace accidents and injuries.

FAQs

The primary purpose of LOTO is to prevent the accidental or unexpected energization of machinery or equipment during maintenance, thereby protecting workers from hazardous energy.

Tagout devices can be used alone only when a lockout device cannot be applied. However, they must be supplemented with additional safety measures to provide the same level of protection as lockout devices.

LOTO procedures should be reviewed regularly, at least annually, to ensure they remain effective and compliant with safety regulations.

If a worker forgets to remove their lockout device, follow the company's established procedure for safely removing it, which typically involves notifying a supervisor and ensuring the worker is not in the area before removal.