What Is Lockout Tagout?

In 2021, research shows that 705 workers died from on-the-job injuries. Many of these injuries involved accidents with pieces of equipment and working materials.

If you manage a business with dangerous equipment, you may be wondering what is loto. Loto stands for lockout tagout, which is a safety procedure.

The majority of workplaces with hazardous equipment use this safety precaution. This guide will help you understand what lockout tagout entails.

Keep reading to find out how to utilize lockout tagout in your business.

Understanding Lockout Tagout Safety

OSHA standards require certain safety precautions around dangerous equipment. One of these precautions is utilizing lockout tagout procedures.

This is a way of managing hazardous energy control in the workplace. The first part, lockout, is when the energy source is physically isolated from the system.

You may need to use a lockout padlock or a certain lockout device. Circuit breaker lockouts and valve lockouts are also useful in certain instances.

All of these options ensure that the machine is not getting power until you reconnect it. This brings us to the second part, which is tagout.

Tagout includes the process of adding a label or a tag to the machine. This tag should communicate what is being done during the lockout tagout procedure.

It may include information like instructions on what the worker should do. It can also include how long the procedure will take and why it is necessary.

Some tags may also include the name and photo of the worker.

How to Do a Lockout Tagout?

When it comes to companies with dangerous equipment, there are certain steps to take. A lockout tagout procedure is one of the many workplace safety procedures necessary.

The first step includes notifying other workers that the process is beginning. Any worker handling the shutdown should have the authorization to do this job.

They need to locate and operate the device used for energy isolating. This includes disconnecting any possibly hazardous areas of energy.

The worker needs to verify that the hazardous energy is now isolated. Then they can go on to perform the activity on the machine that is necessary.

Repair or adjustments should be made carefully in the designated timeframe. The workers should check the area to make sure everything is back where it should be and no tools are left behind.

Then the other workers can be notified that the procedure's done. The tagout devices can be removed, and everyone should be aware that the equipment is going to be re-energized.

Lockout Tagout Best Practices

When it comes to operating a business, there are a lot of safety concerns. This is especially common when it comes to industries where there is heavy equipment.

Any kind of equipment can become a danger to the workers who use it. Here are some examples of the best practices to use when doing a lockout tagout.

Improve Coordination

When working around dangerous equipment, everyone needs to be on the same page. This is why a lot of companies have certain people who are authorized in safety processes.

They understand how these precautions work and go through with them themselves. This is the best way to guarantee that safety procedures are managed correctly.

Everyone needs to work together and understand what these precautions mean. For instance, every worker needs to know that a tag indicates work is being done.

Everyone also needs to understand that no work should continue until the job is complete. This is why communicating before and after a lockout tagout is so important.

Have Written Programs

Any company that uses machinery needs to have safety policies in place. This includes having written programs that workers can reference on the job.

In many industries, OSHA requires this for worker safety. These written programs can be basic safety protocols or written procedures and instructions.

The purpose of this is to give workers something to reference if they aren’t sure how to move forward. Having this in place saves time and creates a safer environment.

It is especially important when it comes to something like a lockout tagout procedure. It is a simple process, but it will take time for everyone to learn it.

Machine Specific Regulations

A lot of requirements apply to specific industries that use machinery. Most companies have to have regulations according to the machine that’s being used.

This is important because some machines operate in different ways. You may not be able to shut off the power in just one way for safety.

Having regulations according to the machine ensures everyone stays safe. There is less room for error, and everyone knows exactly what to do.

Safety Training

Every company that has equipment should also consider other safety measures. One example of this is safety training courses for managers and workers.

Everyone will learn the basics as well as additional safety measures. This is a great way of making sure everyone is on the same page and understands the importance of workplace safety.

Lockout Tagout: What Is It and Why It's Important

If you own a business or manage workers, safety should be a top concern. One example of this is lockout tagout procedures for hazardous energy control.

This is a safety procedure for when a machine needs to be worked on. The energy is cut off from the machine, and all the other workers are aware of what is going on.

Are you interested in safety compliance training? Contact us today at Compliance Training Online to get started.