The term “lockout/tagout” refers specifically to procedures used to ensure equipment is shut down, isolated from all energy sources, and inoperable until maintenance or repair work is completed. Whether you’re very familiar with lockout/tagout procedures already or are just learning about it, this article will have something for you. Having a lockout/tag out program and procedures for these scenarios will reduce the risk of injury due to the unintended or inadvertent release of hazardous energy.This article will cover everything you need to know about lockout/tagout, including how to build a rock-solid program and avoid incidents, as well as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fines. When activities such as maintenance, repair, or set-up or the removal of jams, clogs or misaligned feeds are performed, these safety devices may be removed if there are other controls in place to reduce or eliminate the hazards. Safety devices such as barrier guards or guarding devices are installed on systems to maintain worker safety while these systems are being operated. Accidents which can be prevented by LOTO procedures include: The use of lockout/tagout procedures is considered a critical aspect of workplace safety in any occupational setting in which workers come into direct contact with machinery or workplace equipment. The locking device (or lockout device) can be any device that has the ability to secure the energy-isolating device in a safe position. In most cases, these devices will have loops or tabs which can be locked to a stationary item in a safe position (de-energized position). Push buttons, selection switches and other circuit control switches are not considered energy-isolating devices. The energy-isolating device can be a manually operated disconnect switch, a circuit breaker, a line valve, or a block. In practice, lockout is the isolation of energy from the system (a machine, equipment, or process) which physically locks the system in a safe mode. The purpose of LOTO procedures is both to prevent direct exposure to this energy, as well as to prevent harm caused by any machinery or objects that could be moved by that energy (e.g., a pneumatic press accidentally being activated). In this context, “hazardous energy” includes not only electricity but other forms of energy such as pneumatic pressure, hydraulic pressure, and gas. Any workplace scenario involving equipment that could lead to the inadvertent release of hazardous energy requires the use of lockout/tagout procedures. This allows maintenance and repair work on the system to be performed safely. Lockout/tagout (LOTO) is a set of procedures that are used to ensure that equipment is shut down, inoperable, and (where relevant) de-energized. Credit: Tradesafe So what exactly is a Lockout Tagout procedure? This is why we have Lockout Tagout procedures in place. The same principle applies when it comes to machinery on the work site. In rendering the car inoperable, they are protecting themselves-and you, too-by taking the possibility for human error out of the equation. It isn’t enough to make sure the car isn’t running-before someone puts their hands near the oil pan, they need to be certain there is zero chance the engine will come roaring to life. If you have ever pulled your car into a garage for an oil change, the first thing the technician asks you to do is take your keys out of the ignition and put them on the dashboard.
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