Safety Tip of the Week – Lockout / Tagout

There are many examples of people being seriously injured or killed by machinery and electrical equipment. Often, these tragedies happen because people carelessly try to repair or maintain the equipment without making sure its energy source has been shut off.

Common causes of accidents:

• The machine or piece of equipment was not completely shut off before a maintenance or repair operation. Not only must the machine be turned off but also the power source that goes to it.

• The machine was turned on accidentally, either out of carelessness or because the person who turned it on didn’t realize that another worker was there and could get hurt.

• The machine wasn’t working correctly but wasn’t fixed, turned off, locked or tagged, and someone who didn’t know about the problem used it.

• Moving equipment wasn’t blocked.

• Safety procedures were inadequate or hadn’t been properly explained.

Prevent accidental injury:

• Ensure you know all the energy that could affect the task (electricity, gravity, water, pneumatic, hydraulic, steam, etc.).

• Ensure you control the accidental release of the energy prior to working on the equipment through lockout, tagout, or alternative measures identified for your specific equipment.

• Never reach into moving equipment. In even the blink of an eye you could have a life changing injury.

• Test the energy after you believe it to be isolated. This is one of the most overlooked steps and

  probably the most important.

• Be aware of your personal safety and the safety of others when working with or around moving equipment and machinery. Always follow proper lockout and tagout procedures, even for a quick or minor repair!

  
  

  If in doubt…LOCK IT OUT!!