Purpose
– Lockout or Tag out is abbreviated as “LOTO”, which is a technique to protect employees performing maintenance or servicing activities or other employees in the area from the unexpected startup of equipment or the release of stored energy. It is also to protect employees from the unexpected start-up of equipment during tool changes and adjustments.
– This is accomplished by putting locks on energy isolation devices before beginning work.
“LOTO” Device
- A lockout device shall embody a lock.
- A tag out device shall include a tag together with an attachment means.
- The tag-out device shall be readily identifiable as a tag out a device and suitable for environment and duration of the tag out.
- A tag out device attachment means shall be capable of withstanding at least 224.4 N (50 Ib)
- The tag attachment means shall be non-reusable, attachable by hand, self-locking, non-releasable, and equal to an all environment tolerant nylon cable tie.
- Disconnecting means or removal of the tag.
Principles of Lockout Tagout Execution
Plan: A plan shall be developed based on the existing electrical equipment and system.
Control of energy: All sources of electricity shall be controlled in such a way as to minimize worker exposure to electrical hazards.
Identification: The lockout or tag out device shall be unique and readily identifiable as a lockout or tag out device.
Voltage: Voltage shall be removed and absence of voltage verified.
Coordination: The established electrical lockout/tag-out procedures shall be coordinated with all of the employer’s procedures associated with lockout or tag out of other energy sources.
Employee Involvement: Each person who could be exposed directly or indirectly to a source of electricity shall be concerned in the lockout or tag out method.
Training: All persons who could be exposed shall be trained to realize the established procedure to manage the energy and their responsibility in corporal punishment the procedure. New (or reassigned) workers shall be trained (or retrained) to understand the lockout or tag out procedure because it relates to their new assignment.
Responsibility of Lockout Tagout
Two sorts of hazardous electrical energy management shall be permitted:
▪ Simple lockout or tag out: In case of de-energizing one set of conductors or circuit part supply for the only real purpose of safeguarding workers from exposure to electrical hazards. A qualified person shall be in charge.
▪ Complex lockout or tag out:
- † A complex lockout or tag out plan shall be permitted where one or more of the following exist:
– Multiple energy sources
– Multiple crews
– Multiple crafts
– Multiple locations
– Multiple employers
– Multiple disconnecting means
– Particular sequences
- † The person in charge shall have overall responsibility.
- † All complex lockout or tag procedures shall require a written plan of execution that identifies the person in charge.
- † If one employee is working on a constant piece of equipment at a constant time, a private lock must be installed once he/she begins work, and may take away those devices once he/she stops engaged on the machine or equipment.
- † Locks and tags have to be compelled to clearly show the name of the one that applied the device, the date, and the explanation for the lockout. This identifies who is serving the machinery or equipment. Throughout a multiple lockout or tag out scenario, it’ll conjointly determines any staff that might not have finished operating.
Lock Out Tag out Procedure Sample
After obtaining permission from a supervisor to conduct work
Release from LOTO after work Completed
These requirements shall be met, in the order given, before circuits or equipment is re-energized, even temporarily.
▪ An expert person shall conduct tests and visual inspections in all sections.
▪ Warn employees exposed to the hazards associated with re-energizing the circuit or equipment to stay clear of circuits and equipment.
▪ Remove each lock and tag. They shall be removed by the employees who applied it or under his or her direct supervision. If this worker is absent from the Work Point, and so the lock or tag is also removed by a certified supervisor selected to perform this task provided that:
– The supervisor ensures that the staff who applied the lock or tag is not available at the work point, and
– The supervisor ensures that the worker is aware that the lock or tag has been removed before he or she resumes work at that work point.
– Conduct a visible determination that every one worker is clear of the circuits and equipment.
In the below YouTube Video you will learn the Six Steps of a Lockout Tagout Procedure:
