Suggested Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) is a safety procedure used in industry and workplaces to ensure that dangerous machines and equipment are properly shut off and cannot be started up again until maintenance or servicing work is completed. The purpose of LOTO is to prevent the unexpected startup of machinery or equipment during maintenance, repair, or servicing activities, which could pose a serious risk to the safety of workers.

The lockout-tagout process typically involves the following key elements:

• Identification of Equipment:

  • Identify the machinery or equipment that needs maintenance, repair, or servicing. This could include electrical systems, machinery with moving parts, and other potentially hazardous equipment.

• Notification:

  • Notify all affected employees about the planned maintenance or servicing activities. This ensures that everyone is aware of the work being performed and the safety measures in place.

• Shutdown:

  • Shut down the machinery or equipment using the normal shutdown procedures. This is the first step in ensuring that the equipment is not in operation during maintenance.

• Isolation:

  • Physically isolate the equipment from its energy source. This may involve disconnecting power supplies, blocking fluid flow, or taking other measures to ensure that the equipment cannot be energized or operated.

• Lockout:

  • Lockout involves using locks or other devices to physically lock the energy-isolating devices in the off or safe position. This prevents the equipment from being inadvertently energized during maintenance. Each worker involved in the maintenance activity may place their own lock on the equipment.

• Tagout:

  • Tagout involves attaching a tag or label to the locked-out equipment to provide additional warning and information. The tag typically includes details such as the reason for the lockout, the name of the authorized personnel performing the work, and the expected duration of the lockout.

• Verification:

  • Once the lockout and tagout devices are in place, a verification step is performed to ensure that all energy sources are effectively isolated, and the equipment cannot be started inadvertently. This may involve attempting to start the equipment or testing for the presence of energy.

• Work Performed:

  • With the equipment safely locked out and verified, maintenance or servicing work can be carried out. Workers can do their tasks without the risk of unexpected startup or release of hazardous energy.

• Removal of Lockout-Tagout Devices:

  • Once the maintenance or servicing work is completed, the lockout and tagout devices are removed by the personnel who applied them. This is typically done in reverse order, ensuring that each worker's lock is removed before the equipment is re-energized.

Lockout-Tagout procedures are essential for preventing accidents, injuries, and fatalities caused by the unexpected release of energy from machinery and equipment during maintenance activities. Compliance with LOTO regulations is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions to ensure workplace safety. Training on lockout-tagout procedures is crucial for employees who may be involved in maintenance or servicing tasks.