Workers operating or maintaining machinery may be injured or even killed by the uncontrolled hazardous energy. The Lockout/Tagout is a safety procedure used to ensure that electrical machines are properly shut off during maintenance and service. The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) 29 CFR 1910.147 Standard is especially important for the following manufacturing industries: fabricated metal and wood products, plastics and rubber products, transportation equipment, machinery, food, paper, and chemical manufacturing. Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) equipment (tags, locks, switches) is used to control the situation by securing the machinery in an OFF-position, or labeling as unsafe and unusable any machinery that might injure workers.
The compliance with the Lockout/Tagout Standard is important as it prevents about 120 deaths and 50,000 injuries like burns, electrocution, cutting, lacerating, fracturing, or amputating. The three main reasons of Lockout/Tagout safety procedures violation are: complacency, rush to finish the job, and lack of knowledge about the equipment.
Here are some examples of handling Lockout/Tagout processes in a wrong way:
- Wrong use of tags and locks. Make sure you understand the meaning of each tag. Most facilities need at least 4 different tags (29 CFR 1910.147 (c)(5)(ii): Energy control for servicing and maintenance, Process control for production purposes, Informational to impart information, “Danger Do Not Use” for defective tools and equipment;
- Lockout locks are sometimes used for tool boxes and lockers, which is wrong. The energy control lock’s only purpose is for energy control during servicing and maintenance. Every employee must respect this rule (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(5(ii).);
- Having duplicate keys. OSHA states that duplicate keys should not be on hand to remove locks. This makes unauthorized lock removal too easy. Destroy the duplicate keys, use bolt cutters, and follow the proper procedures to remove a lock.
Here is what you have to do to protect your employees from hazardous energy:
- Develop, implement, and enforce energy control programs/procedures, provide training on all aspects of the program
- Use Lockout/Tagout devices that are authorized for use with the particular equipment
- Establish the rule that only the worker who applied a Lockout/Tagout device is allowed to remove it
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that any hazardous energy control program should include both Lockout and Tagout procedures to ensure maximum protection.
For additional information, please refer to the following NIOSH documentation:
