LOCKOUT/TAGOUT (LOTO) PROCEDURE

When Do You Need Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedure?

A comprehensive lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedure is important when performing maintenance or servicing equipment that could potentially cause harm to workers. These procedures ensure that all energy sources are properly shut off and disconnected before any work begins.

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures are used when:

• Servicing electrical equipment that does not require power to be ON to perform the Service.
• Removing or bypassing a machine guard or other safety device where the possibility exists of being injured or caught in moving machinery.
• Clearing jammed equipment.

RESA Power’s engineers follow the industry standards and OSHA requirements to identify what electrical assets require lockout/tagout and then develop a custom, equipment-specific LOTO procedure. Safety is our #1 priority!

Lockout Equipment Inventory

RESA Power’s engineers will start working on the development of your Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedure by assessing your current equipment inventory and identifying the specific equipment that requires lockout.

Lockout Procedure Development

By following LOTO procedures, the risk of injury or death from unexpected startup or release of stored energy is greatly reduced. Lockout/tagout procedures also ensure that equipment is properly isolated and not accidentally turned on while someone is working on it. RESA Power’s engineers carefully develop a safe and reliable Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedure for your team that enforces proper equipment shutdown to protect workers from hazardous energy exposure during maintenance or repair services they are performing.

LOTO Procedure for Our Customers

This safety procedure establishes the necessary requirements for the lockout of energy isolation devices whenever maintenance or servicing is done on machines or equipment. It shall be used to ensure that the machine or equipment is stopped, isolated from all potentially hazardous energy sources, and locked out before employees perform any servicing or maintenance where the unexpected energization or start-up of the machine or equipment or release of stored energy could cause injury.

What is the OSHA Standard for Control of Hazardous Energy Sources?

It is essential for companies to have a well-defined and regularly practiced LOTO system in place in order to protect their workers and comply with OSHA regulations. Employers should provide proper lockout/tagout training for employees and make sure they are properly followed at all times.

The OSHA standard for The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout), Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.147, addresses the practices and procedures necessary to disable machinery or equipment, thereby preventing the release of hazardous energy while employees perform servicing and maintenance activities.

The standard outlines measures for controlling hazardous energies—electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, and other energy sources.

WHAT IS HAZARDOUS ENERGY?

Energy sources including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other sources in machines and equipment can be hazardous to workers. During the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment, the unexpected startup or release of stored energy can result in serious injury or death to workers. Proper lockout/tagout (LOTO) practices and procedures safeguard workers from the release of hazardous energy.

Definitions

Lockout

The placement of a lockout device on an energy-isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, ensures that the energy-isolating device and the equipment being controlled cannot be operated until the lockout device is removed.

Lockout Device

A device that utilizes a positive means such as a lock, either key or combination type, to hold an energy-isolating device in a safe position and prevent the energizing of a machine or equipment. Included are blank flanges and bolted slip blinds.

Tagout

The placement of a tagout device on an energy isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, to indicate that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled may not be operated until the tagout device is removed.

Tagout Device

A prominent warning device, such as a tag and a means of attachment, which can be securely fastened to an energy isolating device in accordance with an established procedure, to indicate that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled may not be operated until the tagout device is removed.