Lockout Tagout

Performing safe lockout tagout requires workers to follow a series of steps that help to ensure that the equipment they are working on will not be started accidentally.

Lockout/Tagout is a necessary part of working in industrial settings. These practices are required to protect everyone who works with and around potentially dangerous equipment. Don't assume everyone understands the importance of lockout/tagout procedures!

When servicing is performed by a crew, department, team of contractors or other group, every worker must be protected by lockout/tagout. To make sure that each worker is safe, use a step by step process which gives every worker the same level of protection as if they were working independently.

When the servicing or maintenance is completed, and the machine or equipment is ready to return to normal operating condition, lockout/tagout procedures for restoring service should be used to make sure all workers are protected.

One of the hazards too often overlooked is associated with stored or potential hazardous energy. Unfortunately, many workers get confused about lockout/tagout because they think it only applies to electrical work - and that can be a grave mistake.

OSHA says employers must conduct periodic inspections of LOTO procedures but what does that really mean? What kind of inspections are good enough and what are the best practices?