Lockout/Tagout Procedure

The Control of Hazardous Energy: #Lockout/Tagout programs adhere to #OSHA standard 1910.147, “The control of #hazardousenergy.” This is a safety strategy that eliminates all existing energy and potential energy from a piece of equipment or machinery before it is serviced. It ensures that there is no accidental release of energy (such as a power start-up) while a worker is conducting maintenance or is otherwise required to be in or near dangerous areas. Lockout/Tagout reduces the #risk of #injury or #death; #OSHA reports that compliance with the standard helps prevent approximately 120 workplace deaths and around 50,000 additional #injuries each year.

?There are specific procedures that can be followed for safely de-energizing equipment. Workers should:

• Disconnect all sources of energy (including backup power sources such as batteries)
• Ensure that any stored energy has been released
• Place a physical lock on the source of energy to prevent it from being restored during maintenance.
• Add a tag to this lock to visually communicate that the equipment is temporarily out of service and should not be turned back on…

In 1989, #OSHA made the #Lockout/Tagout procedure mandatory for all companies operating in the United States. It doesn’t matter how large or small your company is; if you have machinery that presents potential injury or death due to accidental startup, you need to develop a Lockout/Tagout Program for each piece of equipment/machinery?in your?facility.

Programs will vary according to industry and should be unique according to the specific machinery involved. With a comprehensive Lockout/Tagout Program for the #machinery in your facility, you can make sure that workers are able to perform maintenance/service tasks comfortably and without fear of getting hurt.

Important note: In Lockout/Tagout, the individual who is actually conducting the work is responsible for their own safety. For example, if you are performing maintenance on electrical equipment, you are #responsible for eliminating energy, locking out energy sources, and removing those locks once you’re finished. No one else can perform these actions. In cases where more than one employee is working on a machine, each worker can take off only their specific lock/tag when their own work is completed.

Is one method more ideal and effective? Yes, #OSHA acknowledges that lockout provides better levels of #Safety and is more likely to guarantee the prevention of energy release. This is because lockout physically prohibits workers from accessing power cords, electrical panels, and other types of energy sources.?

#Tagout is intended to enhance the safety measures of lockout by providing communication to employees. When someone sees that they are physically prevented from activating machinery, the tag will let them know why to prevent any confusion. When used together, Lockout/Tagout ensures that workers stay informed and #safe.

When to Use Lockout/Tagout: Most commonly, Lockout/Tagout is needed as the #equipment is being maintained or serviced. However, many #injuries and #fatalities occur in other circumstances when equipment should be completely disconnected from energy sources, and workers forget or disregard established Lockout/Tagout procedures.

Lockout/Tagout needs to occur anytime workers put any part of themselves near a machine’s danger zones. In the past, workers have been injured when they have been cleaning vehicles that were not turned off or secured, or when they have attempted to clear jams or debris from machinery such as saws. Many #incidents have occurred simply due to miscommunication when a coworker unknowingly restored power or energy to a hazardous area that had not been cleared.

The Lockout/Tagout program should include visual #communication such as wall signs, posters, and labels that remind workers to stay safe and always de-energize before entering or going near dangerous equipment. Workers should also be warned of areas that require Lockout/Tagout procedures before entering or exiting. These reminders can help establish a daily mindset that considers Lockout/Tagout in all situations, not just during times of maintenance.

Types of Hazardous Energy: As you establish communication for #Lockout/Tagout, it’s important to include detailed instructions on the type of energy or power for each piece of equipment, and how to eliminate it. The Lockout/Tagout process is unique for every kind of machine, and some of them have multiple sources of energy.?

Make sure all employees understand which types of hazardous energy are present:

• #Electricalenergy, the most common source of energy. It may come from an electrical cable, or from a battery backup system. Lockout/Tagout is an integral aspect of electrical safety and protecting workers from injurious events such as arc flash.
• #Hydraulicenergy, the force that is created by oil under pressure. This energy allows movement.
• #Pneumaticenergy, which is similar to hydraulic but formed using pressurized air. Some machines use pressure tanks to build up energy.
• #Kineticenergy, the motion of an object. Even though power is removed, a machine may still be susceptible to motion and gravity. Kinetic energy is critical to Lockout/Tagout.
• #Thermalenergy, energy in the form of heat. Even if it’s not intended to activate a machine, thermal energy should be considered to prevent burn injuries.
• #Chemicalenergy. Chemical reactions can store and release energy. For example, a reaction may cause a change in pressure or temperature, such as the burning of gasoline in internal combustion engines.
• #Steam, an effective source of energy still used in many industries.

In many cases, the best way to ensure all energy is eliminated from a machine is to implement checklists. Having a step-by-step list helps workers complete everything correctly in the proper order, which is especially #critical if a machine involves multiple energy sources and hence a complicated Lockout/Tagout procedure.

Steps to an Effective Lockout/Tagout Program: Lockout/Tagout programs will vary by facility and by machine. Your company may have several different Lockout/Tagout procedures, and it’s important to tailor these procedures to the unique needs of the situation. There are however some general steps to take to make sure that Lockout/Tagout is conducted effectively. You may use these as a starting point for your own specific instructions in your facility.?

Keep in mind that these are the minimum requirements of an #energy control program. For complete #OSHA compliance, a #facility should evaluate its own situation and fully address the specific #hazards that are present through detailed #procedures, #training, and periodic evaluation...

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