Lockout Tagout
Lockout Tagout
The unexpected start-up of machines or equipment or the release of stored energy can cause injury to you and your co-workers. If effective, your company’s lockout/tagout program can prevent your exposure to accidental, injurious, and even life-threatening situations from energized equipment.
Controlling energy sources
Many energy sources require lockout/tagout procedures to protect you from the release of hazardous energy. Some of these include electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, chemical, and thermal sources. Some of the problems an accidental release of hazardous energy could cause are (1) unintentional equipment start-ups, (2) electrical shock, or (3) other releases of stored, residual, or potential energy. These accidents often occur when someone takes a shortcut during machinery servicing, or when employees don’t understand the equipment or the lockout/tagout procedures for the job.
What is lockout/tagout?
Lockout is the process of turning off and locking out the flow of energy from a power source to a piece of equipment or a circuit, and keeping it locked out. Lockout is accomplished by installing a lockout device at the power source so that equipment powered by that source cannot be operated.
Tagout is placing a tag on the power source. The tag acts as a warning not to restore energy-it is not a physical restraint. Tags must clearly state: Do Not Start (or Operate).
Both locks and tags must be strong enough to prevent unauthorized removal and to withstand various environmental conditions. Some examples of lockout/tagout requirements of the OSHA construction regulations are:
Electrical controls, equipment, and circuits
Tag all controls that are to be deactivated during work on energized or de-energized equipment or circuits.
Render equipment or circuits that are de-energized inoperative and attach tags at all points where such equipment or circuits can be energized.
Place tags to plainly identify the equipment or circuits being worked on.
Mechanical Equipment
Employees are not permitted to perform maintenance or repair activity on equipment (such as compressors, mixers, screens, or pumps used for concrete masonry construction activities) where the inadvertent operation of the equipment could occur and cause injury, unless all potential hazardous energy sources have been locked out and tagged.
Tags must read Do Not Start or similar language, so the equipment is not operated.
Don’t take shortcuts. Participate fully in your company’s lockout/tagout safety training to prevent injury and/or death to you and your fellow employees.