Hazardous
Energy Control
• Define what is lock-out/tag-out
• Determine when lock-out/tag-out
should be used
• Define energy as it applies to this area
• Apply lock-out/tag-out guidelines
• Describe procedures for removing
lock-out/tag-out
Most accidents are
caused by the
uncontrolled release of
hazardous energy.
Many of these
accidents can be
prevented by proper
lock-out/tag-out
procedures.
OSHA’s standard is
designed to prevent
needless deaths and
serious injury to
workers by controlling
hazardous energy.
What are some examples
of lockout devices?
• Padlocks
• Ball valve lockouts
• Fuse lockouts
• Plug lockouts
• Lockout hasps
• C/B lockouts
• Gate valve lockouts
MANAGEMENT
&
SUPERVISORY
RESPONSIBILITIES
Legal Responsibilities
Ethical and moral duty, you have a legal responsibility
for safety as a supervisor.
Federal law; supervisors can be held criminally
liable for serious injury or death of an employee if
proved negligent in their duties.
Fines/prison time for serious and/or willful violations.
Fine and Jail Sentence
for
Worker Electrocution
Company fined $140,000
Supervisor sentenced to a year in jail
Company had received notification and several warnings that no work was to be accomplished
until a power line crossing the job site was de-energized (locked-out and tagged-out).
Supervisor knowing the hazard, directed an employee to drive a dump truck into the hazard area.
Then provided instructions to the employee to raise the truck bed under the energized power line.
The employee was severely burned and died on the scene.
Management Responsibilities
Develop company policy for implementing lockout/tagout
procedures for the control of hazard energy during maintenance
operations.
Establish written machine-specific procedures to include
applying the locks and tags, release, and notification from
lockout.
Train authorized and affected employees on proper use of
procedures.
Supervisors Responsibilities
Ensure initial LOTO training.
Monitor refresher training.
Check for shortcuts, mistakes,
or unsafe work practices.
Ensure retraining if job assignments change, new machines, control
procedures or modifications occurs.
Enforcement of machine-specific procedures to include applying
the locks and tags, release, and notification from lockout.
• A disconnect switch, circuit breaker, valve or other energy isolating
mechanism is put in a safe or “off” position.
• A device is often placed over the energy isolating mechanism to hold
it in a safe position.
• A lock is attached so the equipment cannot be energized.
• In a tag-out, the energy isolating
device is placed in a safe position and
a written warning is attached to it.
All lock-out/tag- out materials are
supplied by the employer.
• Lock-out/tag-out is necessary
whenever you are performing
service or maintenance
around any machine where
you can be injured.
• When placing any portion of
your body in a position that
may be caught in moving
machinery
• Any work in or near
electrically charged
machinery.
Unexpected start-up of the equipment
Release of stored energy
Warning signs you may see
Warning signs you may see
Warning signs you may see
Warning signs you may see
Accidents you may see:
Do you enforce lockout/tagout ??
This worker wished his
supervisor had.
3rd degree burns….failure to
deplete hydraulic pressure --
line ruptured.
Energy can be defined in many
areas. For the purposes of these
guidelines, energy is defined as the
following:
Energy is the movement or the possibility of movement
Whenever the power switch is “on” or “off”, energy as some sort is always
present in any powered equipment
Energy can come from the force caused by the motion of an object, or
potential energy, or force stored in an object that is not moving.
• Operate all energy isolating devices so the equipment is
isolated from its energy source
• Be sure to isolate all energy sources, secondary power
supply, as well as the main one
• Never pull an electrical switch while it is under load
• Never remove a fuse instead of disconnecting
Make sure all danger areas are cleared of personnel
Verify that the main disconnect switch or breaker can’t be
moved to “on” position
Press all start buttons and other controls on the equipment
Shut off all machine controls when testing is finished
Isolating devices are to be locked,
tagged or both
Use only standardized devices supplied
by your employer
If tags are used instead of locks, attach
them at the same point as a lock or as
close as possible
If no tags available, post a firefighter at
the energy source
To guard against stored energy
residual; do any of the following.
Inspect the system
Relieve trapped pressure
Release tension on springs
Block or brace parts that may
fall
Gravity
Bleed the lines and leave vent
port open
Process piping systems and
close valves
Before you turn off any equipment, in
order to lock or tag it out, you must
know:
The type and amount of energy that
powers it
The hazard of that energy
How the energy can be controlled
Shut the system down by using its operating controls.
Follow the proper procedure which is right for that equipment.
Assistance from employees knowledgeable with the equipment
Remember
You work under your lock only!
Only the authorized employee who applied the
lockout/tagout device may remove that device
ACT WorkCover
