Lockout/Tagout

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Lockout/Tagout

What is Lockout/Tagout?

A safety procedure that ensures dangerous machines and energy sources are properly shut off and cannot be started up again during maintenance or servicing work, protecting workers from hazardous energy release.

Description

Lockout/Tagout is a safety procedure that ensures dangerous machines and energy sources are properly shut off and cannot be started up again during maintenance or servicing work, protecting workers from hazardous energy release. This critical safety protocol prevents accidents and injuries by controlling hazardous energy sources during equipment maintenance, repair, and servicing activities. Lockout/Tagout procedures are mandated by OSHA and are essential for worker safety in construction and industrial environments.

The primary purposes include preventing accidental startup of equipment during maintenance, protecting workers from hazardous energy release, ensuring compliance with OSHA safety regulations, establishing standardized safety procedures for energy control, reducing workplace accidents and injuries, providing clear communication about equipment status, and creating accountability for equipment safety during servicing.

Types of hazardous energy involve electrical energy, mechanical energy, hydraulic press

FAQs

  • What is Lockout/Tagout?

    Lockout/Tagout is a safety procedure that ensures dangerous machines and energy sources are properly shut off and cannot be restarted during maintenance work.

  • When is Lockout/Tagout required?

    It’s required whenever workers perform maintenance, repair, or servicing on equipment where unexpected startup could cause injury.

  • What types of energy must be controlled?

    All hazardous energy sources including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, and stored energy must be controlled.

  • Who can remove lockout/tagout devices?

    Only the person who applied the lockout/tagout device can remove it, except in specific emergency situations with proper authorization.

  • What’s the difference between lockout and tagout?

    Lockout uses physical locks to prevent operation, while tagout uses warning tags—lockout is preferred when possible.

  • Are contractors required to follow lockout/tagout procedures?

    Yes, all workers including contractors must follow established lockout/tagout procedures when working on equipment.

  • How often should lockout/tagout procedures be reviewed?

    OSHA requires annual inspections of lockout/tagout procedures, with updates made as needed for equipment changes.

Fun Fact

Fun Fact: OSHA’s Lockout/Tagout standard prevents an estimated 50,000 injuries and 120 deaths annually! The standard was first implemented in 1989 after numerous workplace accidents. Lockout/Tagout violations are consistently among OSHA’s top 10 most cited violations. Interestingly, the average lockout/tagout violation fine is over $4,000, but the cost of a workplace fatality can exceed $1 million!

Links

CSI Code

01 35 23

NAHB Code

120