What is lockout tagout? - The Ultimate Guide (2023)

Such a broad and specific question at the same time, isn't it?

Lockout-Tagout is the shutting down and protection of equipment, machinery or processes so that hazardous energy is not reintroduced during maintenance or repair. These include closing circuits and valves, countering temperature extremes, protecting moving parts, and more.

But security professionals know that this simple lock-and-tag definition only scratches the surface.

What is the difference between Lockout and Tagout?

Although often confused, the terms "blocking" and "signalling" are not interchangeable.

Block

day out

Tagging alone is not recommended as it provides no physical way to prevent the device from being powered back on. Since the lockout and tagout standard began in 1989, power isolation points have been modified or replaced to accommodate thissafety padlockplacement, and new devices have been developed to adjust power sources to help meet the standard.

When used together by attaching a tag to a padlock, the lock and tag provide improved protection for workers from being switched on again.

Components and Considerations of Lockout and Tagout Programs

Elements and Compliance

• program standardization
• Lockout and tagging software
• Authorized/affected annual training (authorized more frequently)
• Update isolation points
• change management
• contractor training
• device inventory

Coordination with local contractors

The host employer is often more familiar with the flow control procedures used at the host facility. However, per 29 CFR §1910.147(f)(2)(i), host and contract employers are required to inform each other of their respective performance review procedures.^[2]Such coordination is necessary to ensure that both groups of employees are protected from hazardous energy.

Contractor shall take reasonable blocking and tagging measures within its authority to protect its employees if Contractor knows or has reason to believe that the Host's power control procedures are inadequate or inadequate to provide the protection required by your employees.

Written procedures for powerlifting gear and docks

In standard shipping and receiving areas or docks, you will need machine-specific written procedures for:

• dock levellers and locks
• battery chargers
• Palettierer
• cranes
• cranes
• Anything connected to a panel

Building and farming - separate but similar

Construction has its own set of rules and is therefore not covered by the industry. Agriculture CFR 1928 makes no mention of lockout tagout, but the NIOSH-supported National Ag Safety Database includes recommendations for lockout programs. All steps follow OSHA 1910.147.

If you are implementing an agricultural program, look at all of the equipment in the facility and identify isolation points for each equipment. Create procedures and purchase locks, devices, and tags to isolate devices during maintenance. Train your authorized personnel on when, how and why to lock down during device maintenance.

1910.147 Ancillary Service Clause

OSHA has additional guidance on thesmall service clause, which is an exception to the lockout tagout pattern. Three specific criteria must be met for this clause to apply:

1. Occur during normal production operations
2. Be routine, repetitive, and integral
3. Use alternative measures to ensure effective protection against hazardous energy

Paperwork requirements for group, complex, or concurrent operations

Paperwork tag blocking requirements vary by company. However, a best practice is to record all services that require locking with signature sheets of all isolation devices. Any permits required to perform the service (hot work, confined space, or work at height) must be copied and retained with the service record. Keeping devices and documentation together is a best practice, usually achieved through the use of aAllow control station.

Understand the requirements for lockout and tagout procedures

Group similar machines together

Once this is done, the employer can review and revise the generic energy control procedure associated with each individual group of equipment referenced in the relevant checklists or annexes.

Machine-specific locking procedures for contract workers

You need machine-specific procedures for all equipment in your facility, even if contractors are the only people authorized to work on the equipment. In addition, all staff must be trained, even where there are no authorized staff, and a regular (best practice: annual) review of the procedure must be conducted, with any changes communicated to contractors prior to maintenance.

Devices exempt from lockdown procedures

Devices with a single power source are excluded

Typically this is any plug and play device such as laptops, office equipment, fans, power tools, portable devices and anything that can be plugged in and easily isolated with a single power cord or disconnect point. The signal barring must still be followed, but you don't need a written procedure.

Procedures Written by Contractor

Authorized contractors can write machine-specific procedures, although these procedures are best developed by personnel familiar with the installation to ensure the correct disconnect switch is used. Outside contractors unfamiliar with the equipment could lose a power source if authorized personnel are not involved in verifying that the processes reach a zero-current condition.

Exceptions and best practices for lockout and tagout applications

Temporary removal of the locking or signaling device

Exceptions where a zero power state cannot be achieved due to the task at hand are covered by OSHA 1910.147(f)(1).^[2]When testing or positioning equipment requires temporarily removing lockout or tagging devices from the energy isolating device and turning on the equipment, the following lockout and tagging steps must be followed:

Shift changes and personnel changes

In general, delegation of responsibility can be achieved by the front-end taking control of a system before the field workers relinquish control of that system. The orderly handover of personal locking and tagging devices between exiting and entering employees should ensure that there is no gap in coverage between the removal of locking devices by exiting employees and the attachment of devices by entering employees.

Do not replace employees with devices during an active lockdown

The OSHA standard states that only mechanical devices and tags should be used. For example, an authorized employee is not allowed to monitor a replacement device instead of a device while another authorized employee is servicing the device. While practical, OSHA specifically states that such a method is not as reliable as a mechanical device.

Checking a zero power condition

It is recommended that electrical components be tested with a meter to check insulation if panel testing is not possible. There are several ways to verify that the pressure has been released. Noise is a common practice in compressed air lines because exhaust valves make a loud noise when pressure is released. Depending on the location of the disconnect point, connecting pneumatic tools to the line to flush the line is another way to verify the absence of voltage.

Lock device computer

Estimate the number of devices needed per installation

The total number of lockout devices required for your lockout and tagout system varies by organization. Here's how to get a good estimate for your organization:

Lock training requests

Sufficient practical training materials

Contractor lockout training requirements

Lockout training includes contractors. Any contractor authorized to service equipment must meet the requirements of the lockout program and be trained on the program's written procedures. Depending on your written program, contractors may need to do a group lockdown with an authorized employee.

Contractor lockout training responsibilities

The responsibility is shared. The host employer is generally most familiar with the flow control procedures used in the host facility; However, the standard requires host and contract employers to learn about their respective energy control procedures. Such coordination is necessary to ensure that both groups of employees are protected from hazardous energy.

Annual lock and tag audits

Documentation

Employers must certify pursuant to §1910.147(c)(6)(ii)^[2]that the required periodic inspections have been carried out. The certificate must contain the following:

1. The machine or equipment on which the power control method was used
2. The inspection date
3. The names of the employees involved in the inspection
4. Name(s) of person(s) who carried out the inspection

Review x Audit x Inspektion

Annual review, audit and inspection relate to the same lock and tag requirement. They can occur at any time throughout the year.

Second person verification

A second person to inspect the equipment must be authorized and ensure that all personnel servicing this equipment are well informed of the procedure and responsibilities. A second person must also document this inspection.

Machine inspections vs. groupings

Degree of formality and scope

In order to meet the verification requirement, the verifier does not have to observe all authorized personnel performing the power verification procedure on the devices they service/maintain. Instead, the auditor conducting the inspection may observe and speak to a representative number of personnel conducting the procedure to get a fair representation of the service/maintenance practices being assessed.

In addition to this representative sampling approach, further analysis needs to be carried out with all authorized personnel who are expected to carry out the procedure during the year. Group meetings can be the most effective way to meet review requirements and restore employee accountability and authority.