Lock-Out, Tag-Out (LOTO)
Lock-Out, Tag-Out (LOTO) procedures are critical safety practices designed to protect workers from hazardous energy during the maintenance and servicing of machinery and equipment. These procedures are part of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and are specifically outlined in OSHA’s regulations.
Here’s a brief overview of what LOTO involves:
Energy Isolation:
Before any maintenance work begins, the machinery or equipment must be turned off and disconnected from its energy source(s). This includes electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other energy sources.
Locking and Tagging
Authorized employees apply lockout devices (locks) and tagout devices (tags) to the energy-isolating devices. This ensures that the machinery cannot be accidentally turned on or energized while maintenance is being performed.
Verification
After locking and tagging, employees must verify that the energy has been effectively isolated. This step is crucial to ensure that no residual energy remains that could pose a hazard.
Maintenance and Servicing
Only after these steps are completed can maintenance or servicing work safely proceed.
Removal of Lockout/Tagout Devices
Once the work is completed, the lockout/tagout devices are removed by the same authorized employees who applied them, following a specific procedure to ensure safety.