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Employee / Occupational Safety

Lock-Out Tag-Out (Safe Shut Down of Hazardous Energy Sources)

 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Q1. What is Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO)?
Q2. Does Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) apply to cord and plug equipment that may be used in the office or a lab?
Q3. What are hazardous energy sources and types of service and repair activities?
Q4. If I am responsible for the repairs or services on some equipment or machinery powered by a hazardous energy source, must I follow special requirements?
Q5. Are there resources available to help me develop appropriate Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedures?
Q6. Do I have to document anything before I shut down equipment or machinery for service and repairs?
Q7. Do employees need to be trained before they can shut down and lock out equipment and machinery for service or repairs?
Q8. If I am responsible for several employees doing a Shut Down on equipment/ machinery for some service or repairs, does each employee have to perform Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO)?
Q9. Do employees need to wear personal protective equipment during Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) Operations?
Q10. Are there other OSHA regulations that require Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO)?
Q11. What are the other OSHA regulations that require Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO)?

Q1. What is Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO)?

Answer -- LOTO is the physical restraint of all hazardous energy sources that supply power to a piece of equipment, machinery or system. LOTO also includes applying a Warning Tag on the physical restraint device. This documents the Authorized LOTO personnel and the date. LOTO operations must be done on all equipment, machinery or system Shut Downs before Authorized Personnel can perform repairs or service.

Most equipment and machinery has an Energy Isolation Device. These devices are usually put into the off position to shut down the hazardous energy source. Physical restraints (Lock Out Devices) can be put onto the Energy Isolation Device and secured with padlocks. Examples of Lock Out Devices include: ball valve and gate valve lock outs, circuit breaker lockouts, plug and wall switch lock outs and pneumatic lock outs. The total shutdown and restraint of all hazardous energy sources including the safe release of stored hazardous energy (e.g. capacitors and pressure in a line) must be accounted for.

Q2. Does Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) apply to cord and plug equipment that may be used in the office or a lab?

Answer -- Yes and No!
NO, if the only energy source that powers the equipment is a cord and plug then the employee needs to remove the plug from the electrical power source and keep the cord and plug under his/her exclusive control while performing the service or maintenance task.

Yes, LOTO does apply to cord and plug electrical equipment if there is another energy source (i.e.-a capacitor that stores electrical energy inside of the equipment) that could harm the employee if it was not identified and/or isolated prior to doing a service or maintenance task. Generally, stored electrical energy sources (i.e.-capacitors) are identified with an Electrical Shock Hazard Warning Label. Resources are available to help you determine how to safely work on your equipment. Go to Question (5).

Q3. What are hazardous energy sources and types of service and repair activities?

Answer -- Some examples of hazardous energy sources include electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal or mechanical energy. Hazardous energy can also be stored (e.g. capacitors or gravity equipment, machinery or system components that are suspended, blocked or chocked).

Service and repair activities may include but are not limited to: installing, setting up, adjusting, inspecting, lubricating, cleaning, making adjustments or tool changes.

Q4. If I am responsible for the repairs or services on some equipment or machinery powered by a hazardous energy source, must I follow special requirements?

Answer -- Yes! OSHA regulations and the University of Virginia Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) Policy make LOTO procedures mandatory. Special requirements include the following:

  1. Step by step LOTO procedures must be developed, documented and followed for all equipment, machinery or system Shut Downs before Authorized Personnel can perform service or repairs.
  2. Authorized Personnel can include faculty, staff or students who are designated and qualified by the department to safely operate equipment, machinery or a system and; perform maintenance such as service and repairs. Authorized Personnel must be initially trained on LOTO procedures prior to performing Shut Downs.
  3. Personal padlocks, warning tags and lock out devices must be provided by the department and assigned to Authorized Personnel. Also, personnel affected by LOTO procedures and Shut Downs when working in controlled spaces (e.g. electrical power to work area is secured during renovation, demolition activities or abatement of hazardous materials) must be provided personal padlocks and warning tags.
Q5. Are there resources available to help me develop appropriate Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedures?

Yes. Equipment manufacturers, their service representatives or; the Equipment Operator’s Manual, can provide information on how to safely isolate the equipment’s energy source(s) during service or maintenance activities. Personnel must be authorized by the Department to perform this task; their qualification should include training and proficiency to perform the task.

 

Q6. Do I have to document anything before I shut down equipment or machinery for service and repairs?

Answer -- Yes! LOTO procedures must be written down in an easy to understand step by step sequence that accounts for the safe Shut Down of all hazardous energy sources including stored energy. The goal is consistent and safe Shut Downs by all Authorized Personnel. Written LOTO procedures are the foundation of LOTO training. This training must be documented and is required to Authorize and Qualify personnel to perform Shut Downs.

Q7. Do employees need to be trained before they can shut down and lock out equipment and machinery for repairs?

Answer -- Yes! Only Authorized Personnel can Shut Down and lock out equipment powered by hazardous energy sources. Personnel are Authorized and Qualified through training on LOTO regulatory requirements and LOTO procedures for the equipment or machinery they have been assigned to work on. Personnel affected by Shut Downs because they are operators of the equipment/machinery or they must work in a controlled work area must also participate in LOTO training.


Q8. If I am responsible for several employees doing a Shut Down on equipment/ machinery for some service or repairs, does each employee have to perform Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO)?

Answer -- Yes! The regulations refer to this as multiple or "group lock out". Special procedures for "group lock out" must be included in the mandatory LOTO procedure. Special "group lock out" devices are available that can hold multiple padlocks. This assures each person’s safety until the work by all Authorized Personnel has been completed. All personnel participating in a "group lock out" must be trained on the LOTO procedure and the special "group lock out" procedures.


Q9. Do employees need to wear personal protective equipment during Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) Operations?

Answer -- Most likely yes. Shutting Down electrical energy sources could result in arcs or contact with energized parts. Safety glasses or faceshields to protect from potential electrical arcs or explosions and insulated gloves rated for the voltage are advisable. Only qualified electricians can shut down electrical energy sources.

Working around thermal energy sources such as medium and high pressure steam may require clothing and/or thermal blankets to protect from burn hazards.

These are only a couple of examples. Please click here for additional guidelines on selecting Personal Protective Equipment.



Q10. Are there other OSHA regulations that require Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO)?

Answer -- Yes!

Q11. What are the other OSHA regulations that require Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO)?

Answer --

  1. HOISTING EQUIPMENT 29 CFR 1910.179 -- Overhead and Gantry Cranes -- The power supply to the runway conductors of the hoisting mechanisms needs to be controlled by a fixed switch or circuit breaker that is accessible from the floor. The switch must be locked in the open position. Cab operated cranes or hoisting mechanisms must have the switch or circuit breaker located within easy reach of the operator.
    • Controllers-must be in off position.
    • main or emergency switch-locked in open position.
    • Out of Order signs must be visibly posted.
  2. POWERED INDUSTRIAL TRUCKS 29 CFR 1910.178 -- Disconnect the battery before making any repairs to the trucks electrical system.
  3. WOODWORKING MACHINERY 29 CFR 1910.213 -- Power driven woodworking machines must have a disconnect switch that can be locked in the off position during repairs or adjustments.
  4. WELDING 29 CFR 1910.252 -- Must purge/clean all tanks, vessels, barrels, drums - prior to welding& cutting to prevent explosion and generation of flammable/toxic gases. All pipelines to the drum or vessel must be disconnected and blanked.
  5. ELECTRICAL STANDARD 29 CFR 1910.333 --
    • Can have two written programs that address electrical Lock out Tag out or one that complies with 29 CFR 1910.147 if it covers sections (c)thru(f) and the inherent electrical hazards.
    • Must treat conductors or electrical parts that have not been locked and tagged out as "energized".
    • Only qualified electricians can work on energized systems.
    • Cannot substitute interlocks on electrical equipment for lockout/tagout.
    • Must discharge capacitors.
    • High capacitance elements must be short-circuited and grounded.