Lockout/Tagout Programs

Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) control of Hazardous Energy Standard (29 CFR 1910.147) addresses the issues of evaluating and identifying potential uncontrolled energy sources, evaluating the associated potential hazards, communicating information concerning these hazards, and establishing appropriate procedures and protective measures for employees.  As an employer, you must establish a lockout/tagout program that covers the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in which the unexpected energization or start-up of the machines or equipment, or release of stored energy, could cause injury to employees.

The program applies to the control of energy during servicing or maintenance of machines and equipment, including servicing or maintenance during normal production when:

                  Ø     An employee is required to remove or bypass a guard or other safety device; or

Ø    An employee is required to place any part of his or her body into an area on a machine or piece of equipment where work is actually performed upon the material being processes (point of operation) or where an associated danger zone exists during a machine operating cycle.

Each authorized employee involved in lockout/tagout must receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sites, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.

All other employees whose work operations are (or may be) in an area where energy control procedures might be utilized must be instructed about the procedure and about the prohibition relating to attempts to restart or reenergize machines or equipment that are locked out or tagged out.

Re-training must be provided for all authorized and affected employees whenever there is a change in their job assignments, a change in machines or equipment, or a change in processes that present a new hazard.  They also must be re-trained when there is a change in the energy control procedures.  Additional re-training will also be conducted when a periodic inspection reveals (or a supervisor has reason to believe) that there are deviations from or inadequacies in the employee's knowledge or use of the procedures.  The re-training must establish employee proficiency and introduce, as necessary, new or revised control methods and procedures.

Clas Consulting LLC is an expert in Lockout/Tagout Programs.  Contact Us to help you get started developing your own Lockout/Tagout Program.

Safety and Health Topics: Lockout Tagout [Occupational Safety and Health Administration]