8 steps-to-ensure-proper-lockout-tagout

8 Steps to Ensure Proper Lockout /

Tagouts

Tips for Safety Signage:

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Lockout / Tagout

Refers to shutting off dangerousequipment that may be:• Emitting hazardous energy levels• Requiring maintenance before using• Is unsafe until it has been serviced

(LOTO)

In order to protect employees from injury, OHSA has outlined the proper safety guidelines for LOTO procedures to ensure safe & proper lockout tagout practice within your facility.

and LOTO

The following 8 Tips will help make the job

easier when you need to enforce LOTO.

8 Tips To LOTO Success

1. Notify Employees of Needed Servicing

All employees are notified of a machine or system under LOTO.

They must understand that it may not be operated or turned on until it has been serviced and fully restored.

Authorized service person identifies possible energy hazard type.

A containment plan is then developed for that particular type and possible magnitude of energy hazard.

2. Servicing Employee Identifies Energy Type

If the equipment is still running, the service person must determine the best possible way to bring it to a safe and orderly stop.

3. Disable the Equipment

When the equipment has been shut-off in LOTO, it must be isolated and separated from its energy source, to avoid accidental restarting before servicing is finalized.

4. Deactivate and Isolate

The equipment should then be placed on LOTO using the proper tags and locks indicating that the equipment is not functional and should not be put into use.

5. Lockout the Equipment with Tags

Any stored residual energy must be relieved or dissipated to ensure that any sort of built up energy within the equipment is restrained.

6. Dissipate Stored Residual Energy

The unintended release of stored energy could severely injure employees and needs to be treated as a serious step within the LOTO procedure.

6. Dissipate Energy... (cont.)

Stored energy may include energy in springs, capacitors, hydraulic systems, flywheels and even be in the form of air, gas, water pressure, or steam.

6. Dissipate Energy... (cont.)

Common methods used to release stored energy include blocking, repositioning, bleeding down, and grounding among other appropriate methods.

6. Dissipate Energy... (cont.)

The equipment must be verified for full disconnection.

Before verifying disconnection, the area should be clear of employees and the equipment must be in isolation.

7. Verify Disconnection from Energy

The authorized employee should verify that the LOTO equipment has indeed been disconnected, by attempting to turn on the equipment.

7. Verify Disconnection... (cont.)

If the equipment does not power on, it is properly prepared for service.

Return equipment back to “off” position after verifying that there is no power.

7. Verify Disconnection... (cont.)

Once all the above steps have been taken, the equipment in need of repair is deemed on full LOTO and is ready to be serviced.

Remember to employ good PPE practices.

8. Lockout Accomplished

Looking for LOTO items?

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We also carry a host of other safety tools and products, so be sure to check out our website for more information - CreativeSafetySupply.com.

We’re here to help.

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