Lock-out & Tag-out
Training
Training Outline
• Lock-out definitions
• Legal responsibilities
• Lock-out procedure
• Frequent mistakes
• Removing a lock
Definition: Locking
• Lockout means cutting all sources of energy
and installing a personal lock and tag at the
source, to prevent the starting of this piece of
machinery while it is being cleaned, maintained,
adjusted or repaired
Definitions
• Zero energy state
- The machine is incapable of spontaneous or
unexpected action
- There is no residual energy left in the
machine
Energy Types
• Electrical energy
- power transmission lines, transformers,
- circuit breakers
• Hydraulic energy
- fluid under pressure (cylinders and lift trucks)
• Pneumatic energy
- air under pressure (pipes, tanks and vessels)
Energy Types
•Potential energy
- Potential = stored energy
- Examples: spring, battery or elevated weight
Definition: Tagging
•Tagging is the addition of a tag to the
lock which indicates the date, time and
the name of the worker as well as a
warning not to start the machine
•Important Note: This
never replaces a lock!
Employer Responsibilities
• No employee shall work on a machine...until he...
• verifies that a competent person has put the machine
in a zero energy state and
• locks out the machine using the safety lock and key
provided
• adds a safety tag that contains
› a warning not to start the machine
› the name and signature of the employee
› the date and time
• tests that the machine is inoperative
Lockout Policy
• Policy: a statement that explain the
company’s directives concerning tagging
and locking out
Where
When
Why
When?
• Any time you service or perform maintenance
on any machinery or equipment that includes:
constructing
installing
setting up
adjusting
inspecting
repairing
Where?
• Locks and tags are applied to all primary and
secondary energy sources:
electrical
hydraulic
pneumatic
mechanical
chemical
thermal
Why?
•To save workers from serious injuries or death,
and it’s the law
Tag and Lock Procedure
1. Prepare for shutdown
6 Step Procedure....
2. Shut down the equipment
3. Isolate the equipment (stand on the right hand
side of the panel, use your left hand to pull the
breaker)
4. Apply lockout and tag devices
5. Control stored energy
6. Verify isolation of equipment
Step 1
Preparing for shutdown
6 Step Procedure....
- Do you know your machine?
- What kind of energy are we dealing with?
More than one type?
- What are the hazards present and what
are the controls necessary?
Step 2
Shut down the equipment
6 Step Procedure....
- Have you advised other workers?
- Do you know the normal stopping
procedure?
› ‘Off’ switch, pedals, controls?
› Other method?
Step 3
• Isolate the equipment
6 Step Procedure....
- cut-off EVERY source of energy
› valves, main disconnects, circuit
breakers
- do not forget auxiliary power (electrical,
secondary steam, hydraulic, pneumatic)
- do not forget secondary sources of energy
such as backup generators
Pulling the fuse is NOT locking out!
Step 4
Apply lockout and tag devices
6 Step Procedure....
- attach to isolating devices to prevent
someone restoring the energy flow
Other Equipment
• Tags: extra protection and provide vital information;
NEVER to substitute for lock-out
• Blanks: for piping
• Covers: for connectors and valves
• Chains: for valve handles
Tags
Covers
Chains
Lock Station
Step 5:
Control stored energy
6 Step Procedure....
- restrain hazardous energy
- make sure parts have stopped turning
- relieve trapped pressure
- install ground wires for charge dissipation
- block all secondary sources of energy
Step 6
Verify isolation of equipment
6 Step Procedure....
- DO NOT take anything for granted
- double-check your steps (with checklist)
- TEST BEFORE YOU WORK – Do it
yourself! Don’t rely on someone else!
Removing a Lock
• No person shall remove the lock on a machine
except...
- a) the person who installed it
- b) in an emergency... where attempts are
made to contact the person and this person is
not available...a competent employee
designated by the supervisor .
Removing Locks and Tags
• Notify affected employees
Check and re-check
