OSHA established standards for the control of hazardous energy in Title 29 CFR Part 1910.147. This Standard addresses the practices and procedures required to safety disable machinery or equipment, preventing the release of hazardous energy that might harm employees who are performing servicing or maintenance activities. This standard outlines measures for controlling hazardous energy in many different types of sources. Types of hazardous energy include electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, and thermal energy.
Compliance Saves Lives
Employees who perform service or maintain machines or powered equipment may risk exposure to electrical current if the hazardous energy is not controlled. According to OSHA, any time a machine can inadvertently or unexpectedly be powered up or turned on and this would create a hazard, there should be a lockout/tagout procedure to keep the machine safe and guarded while not in use. Compliance with LO/TO procedures prevent hundreds of fatalities and tens of thousands of deaths each year.
Tailoring Energy Control Devices
Depending on the type of machine or equipment, employers should affix the appropriate lockout/tagout devices to isolate the energy or de-energize equipment to make it safe during service and/or maintenance. This is usually done by fitting LO/TO devices that make it impossible to turn on the equipment until the tag is removed. If a lockout device can be used, it should be used. Tagout devices may be used in place of lockout if they provide sufficient protection against the energy hazard.
IF IN DOUBT…LOCK/TAG IT OUT!!!
Download flyer: STOTW_1209_LO-TO Download Spanish flyer: STOTW_1209_LO-TO_esp
