7 Free Lockout Tagout (LOTO) Safety Articles
Lockout/tagout (LOTO) is the set of procedures that safely shuts off and isolates a machine's energy sources during service or maintenance, so the equipment cannot start up or release stored energy while a worker is exposed. LOTO is important because machines hold many kinds of hazardous energy including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, and gravitational, and any of it can injure or kill in seconds if the equipment cycles or energizes without warning.
The lockout/tagout safety articles on this page explain how a LOTO program works as they walk through the steps of a safe lockout procedure and explain concepts like why lockout and tagout devices are used together, how a group lockout protects a crew servicing the same equipment, and what to verify before restoring service and re-energizing. The lockout/tagout articles also cover the training that authorized and affected employees need and the periodic inspection OSHA requires to confirm the lockout/tagout procedures are actually being followed.
Maintenance supervisors and safety managers can use these lockout/tagout articles to build or review an energy control procedure, prepare for a safety meeting, or train a worker before they service powered equipment for the first time. They are written for maintenance technicians, machine operators, supervisors, and the safety managers responsible for anyone who works on machines and equipment.
Why it matters
Lockout/tagout saves lives by preventing the unexpected release of hazardous energy.
Lockout Tagout (LOTO) Safety Articles
Lockout Tagout FAQs
What is the difference between lockout and tagout?
The difference between lockout and tagout is that lockout physically prevents a machine from being energized by placing a lock on its energy-isolating device, while tagout only attaches a warning tag that identifies the worker and prohibits operation. Lockout is the more protective method, and OSHA requires it whenever an energy-isolating device is capable of accepting a lock. A tag alone is only a warning and does not physically stop the release of energy.
Which OSHA standard covers lockout/tagout?
The primary standard for lockout/tagout is The Control of Hazardous Energy (OSHA 1910.147), which governs servicing and maintenance in general industry. Electrical work carries additional lockout requirements (OSHA 1910.333), and the lockout/tagout standard is consistently one of OSHA's most frequently cited.
What is the difference between an authorized and an affected employee in lockout/tagout?
In lockout/tagout, an authorized employee is the person who locks out the equipment to perform the service or maintenance, while an affected employee operates or works near that equipment but does not apply the lockout. Authorized employees need the most in-depth training, and affected employees must be trained to recognize the procedure and never attempt to restart locked-out equipment.
How often does OSHA require lockout/tagout procedures to be inspected?
OSHA requires a periodic inspection of each energy control (lockout/tagout) procedure at least once a year. The inspection must be conducted by an authorized employee who is not using the procedure being inspected, and it must verify that employees are following the required steps. Any deficiencies found udring the inspection must be corrected.
Does every worker need their own lock during a group lockout?
Yes, during a group lockout each authorized employee must apply their own personal lock so that no one else can restore energy while they are still exposed. OSHA permits group lockout for jobs involving a crew, often using a lockbox, but the group procedure must give each worker protection equivalent to applying their own individual lock.
What has to happen before restoring power after a lockout?
When lockout/tagout is applied and before power is restored, the authorized employee must inspect the machine and work area to confirm tools are cleared and components are intact, verify that all employees are safely positioned, and notify affected employees that service is ending. Each lock is then removed only by the worker who applied it, and the equipment is re-energized only after everyone is clear.
