When should lock out tag out be followed?Įach time and every time. Taken together, the process is called LOTO-Lock Out Tag Out. This should deter some third person from fiddling with the padlock and trying to energize it again. The tag that is affixed to the locking mechanism, displays the name of the person who is working on it and also a warning not to energize it. Hence the person who is repairing it should ensure that the energy is not just switched off, but disconnected and locked and only he/she can re-energize it. You can of course simply power off an equipment, but when you are working on it what if somebody restarts it? This will be sure to cause injury to the person who is working on it. Thus equipment like Steam driven pumps, or chemical reactors that have steam and nitrogen connected to it, or a hydraulic press that uses electricity- all need LOTO while carrying out maintenance.Ĭannot simply powering off the equipment work? Why should it be disconnected? However it is used on any equipment that uses any kind of energy including electricity, steam, nitrogen, compressed air, etc. So the concept is very easy to understand in the context of motors. No, LOTO is applicable for any machine or equipment that needs its energy to be isolated while working on it to prevent accidents.The LOTO procedure is very common for electric motors and hence many people who work in manufacturing plants will be aware of it because there may be hundreds or even thousands of electric motors on a site and everytime some maintenance work needs to be done on it, obviously the electric supply needs to be disconnected. Is lock out tag out only applicable for electric motors? Here’s a video that explains the concept of Lock Out Tag Out.Īccidents can happen if the LOTO procedure is not followed. The Tag Out means that a tag is affixed to the place from where the energy is isolated, so that somebody does not start it by mistake, the tag warns the person not to start it as somebody is working on the machine. This is the lock out part of the process. Lock Out ensures that the energies that power the machine are isolated while the worker repairs the machine, to prevent it from starting inadvertently. Plug lockout covers to prevent machines or equipment from being plugged back in while they are being serviced or repaired.Lock Out Tag Out (called LOTO for short) is a concept used in workplaces to protect workers from getting maimed or injured while repairing or carrying out any kind of maintenance on a machine or equipment.Circuit breaker, push button, or switch lockout devices that prevent a specific breaker or switch from being activated.Flange lockout devices that prevent access to a blind flange to protect workers during pipeline activities.Cable lockout devices that restrict handles or valves from moving.OSHA Standard 1910.147(a)(3)(i) utilize procedures for affixing appropriate lockout devices or tagout devices to energy isolating devices, and to disable machines or equipment to prevent unexpected energization, start up or release of stored energy in order to prevent injury to employees.Īn important step during lockout/tagout is to isolate any possible hazardous energy by using certain types of devices. Verify lockout/tagout by making certain the equipment cannot be started accidentally.Dissipate or restrain stored and/or residual energy.Apply locks and tags to the proper locations.
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