keep it simple – Lockout/tagout procedure

Adopting these techniques can be the difference between safe routine maintenance activities and serious injuries.

If you have ever drove your car into the garage to change the oil, the first thing the technician asks you to do is to remove the keys from the ignition switch and place them on the dashboard. It is not enough to make sure that the car is not running—before someone approaches the oil pan, they need to make sure that the chance of the engine roaring is zero. In the process of making the car inoperable, they protect themselves—and you—by eliminating the possibility of human error.

The same principle applies to machinery on the job site, whether it is an HVAC system or production equipment. According to OSHA, the lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) agreement is “the specific practices and procedures for protecting employees from accidental power-up or activation of machines and equipment, or the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance activities.” In this column, we will Provide a high-level overview of lockout/tagout procedures and best practices to ensure that they are taken seriously at all levels of the organization.

Workplace safety is always important. People hope that equipment operators and nearby personnel have appropriate safety precautions and training in normal daily operations. But what about unconventional activities, such as needing to repair things? We have all heard horror stories like this: a worker stretched his arm into the machine to remove jam, or walked into an industrial oven to make adjustments, while an unsuspecting colleague turned on the power. The LOTO program is designed to prevent such disasters.

The LOTO plan is all about the control of hazardous energy. This of course means electricity, but it also includes anything that could harm someone, including air, heat, water, chemicals, hydraulic systems, etc. During a typical operation, most machines are equipped with physical guards to protect the operator, such as handguards on industrial saws. However, during service and maintenance, it may be necessary to remove or disable these protective measures for repairs. It is essential to control and dissipate dangerous energy before this happens.