Lockout Tagout Safety Procedure
Lockout / Tagout is a safety procedure to safeguard employees from energized machinery and systems. This is standard procedure for field engineers working at plants and factories. Lockout / tagout is done to make sure the system is safe to work on and also let others know that someone is working on that particular device.
Lockout is the process of blocking the flow of energy from a power source to equipment, and keeping it blocked out while work is being done. This is done by placing a lock on the poewr source so that it can not be operated.
Tagout is done by placing a tag on the lock as a warning not to restore energy. The tag would have “Do Not Operate” text written on it.
Lockout / Tagout Procedure
- Notify affected employees
- Turn the equipment off
- Isolate all energy sources
- Apply the lock and tag
- Release or restrain stored energy
- Test equipment to make sure it can not be turned on using the usual controls
Locks
- Electronic controled locks should not be used
- Combination locks are not recommended
- There can be more than one lock on a device when two or more people are working on it
Tags
- Should have name and signature of the person who applied it
- Can be applied without a lock in place in special circumastances. In such times the tag should be applied to the operating switch.
Lockout / Tagout Removal Procedure
- Remove any tools. Place guards in place to keep non-authorized personel at safe distance.
- Warn employees that might be affected by turning the machine back on.
- Remove isloating devices in palce including the tag and lock
- Restore energy to the machine
- If the machine does not work
Keep in mind these instructions might vary slightly from company to company and from standard to standard. Here is a link to OSHA standards on lockout / tagout (LOTO)
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