Lock Out & Tag Out

LOCK OUT AND TAG OUT

Purpose of the Lockout/Tagout: 

To prevent injury to servicing and/or maintenance employees due to the unexpected energization or startup of machines and equipment, or release of stored energy.

Definitions:

• Authorized employee: An employee who locks or tags machines or equipment in order to perform servicing or maintenance.

• Affected employee: An employee who is required to use machines or equipment on which servicing is performed under the Lockout/Tagout standard or who performs other job responsibilities in an area where such servicing is performed.

• Other employees: All employees who are or may be in an area where energy control procedures may be utilized.

• Energy source: Any source of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other energy.

• Lockout device: Any device that uses positive means, such as a lock, blank flanges and bolted slip blinds, to hold an energy-isolating device in a safe position, thereby preventing the energizing of machinery or equipment.

• Lockout: The placement of a lockout device on an energy-isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, ensuring that the energy-isolating device and the equipment being controlled cannot be operated until the lockout device is removed.

• Tagout: The placement of a tagout device on an energy-isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, to indicate that the energy-isolating device and the equipment being controlled may not be operated until the tagout device is removed.

• Tagout device: Any prominent warning device, such as a tag and a means of attachment, that can be securely fastened to an energy-isolating device to indicate that the machine or equipment to which it is attached may not be operated until the tagout device is removed.

Application Of Controls And Lockout/Tagout Devices

The established procedure of applying energy controls includes the specific elements and actions that must be implemented in sequence . These are briefly identified as follows:

(1) Prepare for shut down,

(2) Shut down the machine or equipment,

(3) Disconnect the energy-isolating device,

(4) Apply the lockout or tagout device,

(5) Render safe all stored or residual energy, and 
(6) Verify the isolation and deenergization of the machine or equipment.

Removal of Locks and Tags

Before lockout or tagout devices are removed and energy is restored to the machine or equipment, the authorized employee(s) must take the following actions or observe the following procedures:

(1) Inspect the work area to ensure that non-essential items have been removed and that machine or equipment components are intact and capable of operating properly;

(2) Check the area around the machine or equipment to ensure that all employees have been safely positioned or removed,

(3) Make sure that locks or tags are removed ONLY by those employees who attached them. (In the very few instances when this is not possible, the device may be removed under the direction of the employer provided that he or she strictly adheres to the specific procedures outlined in the standard); and

(4) Notify affected employees after removing locks or tags and before starting equipment or machines.

Additional Safety Requirements

Special circumstances exist when 
(1) machines need to be tested or repositioned during servicing, 
(2) outside (contractor) personnel are at the worksite, 
(3) servicing or maintenance is performed by a group (rather than one specific person), and 
(4) shifts or personnel changes occur during servicing or maintenance.

• Testing or positioning of machines. OSHA allows the temporary removal of locks or tags and the reenergization of the machine or equipment ONLY when necessary under special conditions -- for example, when power is needed for the testing or positioning of machines, equipment, or components. The reenergization must be conducted in accordance with the sequence of the following steps:

(1) Clear the machines or equipment of tools and materials,

(2) Remove employees from the machines or equipment area,

(3) Remove the lockout or tagout devices as specified,

(4) Energize and proceed with testing or positioning, and

(5) Deenergize all systems, isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source, and reapply lockout or tagout devices as specified.

• Outside personnel (contractors.) The onsite employer and the outside employer must inform each other of their respective lockout or tagout procedures. Each employer must ensure that his or her personnel understand and comply with all restrictions and/or prohibitions of the other employer's energy control program.

• Group lockout or tagout. When servicing and/or maintenance is performed by a crew, craft, department or other group, they must utilize a procedure which affords the employees a level of protection equivalent to that provided by the implementation of a personal lockout or tagout device.

• Shift operations. During shift operations either maintain continuous control of the energy-isolating devices or require that the oncoming shift verify deenergization and lockout/tagout.