Controlling Hazardous Energy

Lockout/Tagout

1
 Definitions

 Lockout: The placement of a lockout

device on an energy isolating device
to ensure that the equipment being
controlled cannot be operated until
the lockout device is removed
 Tagout: The placement of a tagout
device on an energy isolating device
to indicate the equipment being
controlled may not be operated until
the tagout device is removed
Tagout Tags
Lockout Device
Group Lockout
De-energizing Equipment

 Shut down the machine or equipment

 Isolate the machine or equipment from
the energy sources
 Apply the lockout or tagout device(s) to
the energy isolating device(s)
 Safely release all potentially hazardous
stored or residual energy
 Verify the isolation of the machine or
equipment prior to the start of servicing
work
Stored Energy

 If there is a possibility of
reaccumulation of stored energy to
a hazardous level, verification of
isolation shall be continued until the
possibility of such accumulation no
longer exists
Re-energizing Equipment

 Ensure that machine or equipment

components are operationally intact
 Ensure that all employees are safely
positioned or removed from
equipment
 Ensure that lockout or tagout devices
are removed from each energy
isolation device by the employ who
applied the device
Lockout/Tagout Requirements

 If an energy
isolating device is
not capable of
being locked out,
the employer’s
energy control
program shall
utilize a tagout
system
Lock-out / Tag-out
Electrical Policy:
 Electrical panels must be manned at all
times while open and or being worked on.
 With the exception of when work is being
performed on or in electrical panels, and the
electrical panels are manned, all electrical
panels must be closed at all times.
 Prior to any work being performed on an
electrical panel, the power to the panel must
be turned off, and checked to make sure the
power is off.
 Lock-out / Tag-out
 When a problem with a breaker occurs in an
electrical panel, make sure the breaker is in
the off position, place electrical tape (not
other tape is allowed), over the breaker in
such a manner so-as-to- not allow the
breaker to be turned on without removal of
the tape.
 Close the panel box, lock the panel cover if
that feature is available, place a sign on the
panel door noting the problem, the breaker
number, and clearly indicate that the panel
box is not to be opened by anyone but
authorized and qualified repair personnel.
Lock-out / Tag-out
 Be sure the sign is attached to the cover in
such a manner that it cannot fall off and
must be physically removed. Attach the
electrical lock-out tag to the panel cover in
addition to the sign.
 Unless you are the qualified district
electrician, this lock-out must not be
removed or tampered with.
 Lock any additional doors to the equipment,
i.e. vault room, and place sign on the door
indicating “No Admittance – Electrical Work
in progress – Danger”
 Lock-out / Tag-out
 For faulty electrical with powered equipment,
disconnect the power to the unit completely by
turning off the breaker, and disconnecting the
power cord if possible.
 Place a sign in the same manner as the panel box
above.
 Also state the problem with the unit if know and
any hazards such as potential electrical shock.
Install the lock-out tag on the power ‘on’ switch
and tape the switch in the off position with
electrical tape.
 Inform essential personnel and staff that use the
equipment.
Lock-out / Tag-out

 The lock-out tag must include certain

information. This includes the name of
the person installing the tag.
 This tag can only be removed by the
person originally installing it or a
qualified electrician.
 Lock-out / Tag-out
The removed tag must be returned to the custodial
office and saved in a file that contains an
explanation of:
 The electrical problem
 How the problem was handled
 Who found the problem
 Who installed the lock-out tag
 Who reported the problem
 Who repaired the problem
 Who removed the lock-out tag
 This is best served in an on-going report on the
problem. Documentation is everything.
Lock-out / Tag-out

What Documentation Does:

 Gives you a great resource to follow-up with.

 Provides compliance with regulations.

 Instills a sense of completion to a problem.

 Provides exacting steps that need to be

done as long as the file is open, which lends
to a greater safety factor to all staff and
students.
 Provides information for future reference.
Device Requirements

 Durable: Lockout and tagout devices

must withstand the environment to which
they are exposed for the maximum
duration
 Standardized: Both lockout and tagout
devices must be standardized according
to either color, shape, or size

Tagout devices must also be

standardized according to print and
format
Device Requirements

 Substantial: Lockout and tagout

devices must be substantial
enough to minimize early or
accidental removal
 Identifiable: Locks and tags must
clearly identify the employee who
applies them.