Lockout Tagout
Lock out, tag out, or lockout/tagout (LOTO) is defined as a safety procedure used to ensure that dangerous equipment is safely shut off and not able to be started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or repair work. It requires that be "isolated and rendered inoperative" before work is started on the equipment in question. The isolated power sources are then locked, and a tag is placed on the lock identifying the worker and reason the LOTO is placed on it. The worker holds the key for the lock, ensuring that only they can remove the lock and start the equipment. This prevents accidental startup of equipment while it is in a hazardous state or while a worker is in direct contact with it. All equipment that has been locked out must be checked to verify that it has been isolated and inoperative before any work can be done. Lockout-tagout is used across industries as a safe method of working on hazardous equipment.
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout-tagout) Standard, 29 CFR 1910.147, requires that employers develop a lockout-tagout program to protect employees during machine and equipment servicing or maintenance where unexpected machine energization, start-up, or release of stored energy could cause injury to employees. Energy sources include electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, and thermal. There may also be stored and/or residual energy that may remain once the primary energy source is shut down. Stored energy may result from steam, air pressure, water pressure, compression of springs, or gravity. Prior to starting any work, all stored energy must be discharged.
Lockout Tagout Equipment Procedure Checklist
