Remember to Lockout and Tagout

Anyone who operates, cleans, services, adjusts, unjams, repairs machinery or equipment should be aware of the hazards associated with that machinery. Authorized employees are those employees who are qualified and trained to clean, repair service, adjust, or unjam energized equipment. Affected employees are those employees who work with or around energized equipment. All employees need to be trained in lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures that are specific to the piece or type of equipment they work with.

Any powered machinery or electrical equipment that can move in a way that would put people in danger is a hazard that can be prevented by following locking or tagging procedures. Failure to lock out or tag power sources on equipment can result in electrocutions, amputations, and other serious—sometimes fatal—accidents.

Common causes of LOTO accidents

• Lack of appropriate LOTO training for each individual machine.
• The machine or piece of equipment was not completely shut off before a maintenance or repair operation. Not only must the machine be turned off but the power source that goes to it must also be disconnected or locked out and the potential energy released.
• Employees believed that the machine’s interlock device would prevent inadvertent movement but sometimes interlock devices fail!
• The machine was turned on accidentally, either out of carelessness or because the person who turned it on did not realize that another worker was there. Care must be taken to ensure continuity of LOTO protection during shift changes.
• The machine was not working correctly but was not fixed, turned off, locked or tagged, and someone who did not know about the problem used it.
• Moving equipment was not blocked.
• Safety procedures were inadequate.

Danger: Be on guard around machinery and moving equipment

Even if you do not operate the machinery, you could get caught in it and injured if it is not properly disconnected. So what can you do to prevent accidental injury from moving machinery?

• Identify all jobs and equipment that require lockout of power sources. Types of power sources include mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, electrical, thermal or other hazardous energy sources. Care must be taken to de-energize all potential sources of energy or potential energy.
• Post warning signs wherever possible to indicate that lockout is required or underway.
• Develop specific written procedures explaining how lockout is to be done. Remember that each piece of equipment or type of equipment must have its own written LOTO procedure. For example, if there are two identical mixers, then a single procedure can be used for both. However if the two mixers are different, then a separate procedure needs to be in place for each one.
• Train all personnel in the lockout procedures for their particular job and provide periodic refresher training.
• Allow no deviation from the written policies and procedures and take swift and appropriate action if violations are observed or discovered.
• Use engineering and administrative controls as much as possible to eliminate the need for lockout.
• Perform regular maintenance to prevent malfunctioning equipment.
• Conduct periodic reviews of your LOTO policy at least annually to evaluate effectiveness, and update your procedures as needed.
• Maintain good documentation of inspections and employee training.

Written LOTO procedures can be laminated and attached to each piece of equipment for easy accessibility or for fast use during an emergency.

Be aware of your personal safety and the safety of others when working with or around moving equipment and machinery. Always follow proper lockout and tagout procedures, even for a quick or minor repair!