Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tag-out) 29 CFR 1910.147

What Is Lockout/Tag-out?

• Referred to as LOTO

• Blocks flow of energy from power source to the

equipment

• Provides means of warning (tag)

Regulatory Requirements

• 29 CFR 1910.147–Control of Hazardous Energy

• Covers operators and service personnel

• Requires training of employees

Types of Lockout Devices

• Locks

• Blocks

• Chains

• Multi-lock hasps

• Wheel valve covers

• Ball valve covers

Requirements For

Lockout/Tag-out Devices

They must be:

• Durable

• Standardized

• Substantial

• Identifiable

Energy Sources

• Electricity

• Hydraulic

• Pneumatic

• Steam

• Thermal

• Chemical

• Gravity

Typical Equipment

Requiring LOTO

• Presses

• Saws

• Conveyors

• Pumps

• Production

Equipment

• Trash

Compactors

• Ovens

When Must LOTO Be Used?

When servicing or maintaining equipment where:

• Hazardous energy exists

• Unexpected start-up could occur

• Either of these could harm an employee

LOTO Shall Be Used When:

• Employees are required to remove or bypass a safety

device

• Employees are required to place any part

of their body in harm’s way

• Employees are exposed to hazardous energy

LOTO Exceptions

• Work where hazardous energy does

not exist

• Activities performed during routine production

processes

• Work on cord-controlled devices

• Hot tap operations where shutdown

is not feasible

Typical LOTO Procedures

• Performing a shutdown

• Isolating equipment

• Applying and removing lockout devices

• Safely releasing stored energy

Affected Employees

Employees who

• Operate

• Work around

• Occasionally adjust equipment that is subject to

LOTO

Authorized Employee

• Maintains equipment

• Services equipment

• Is trained to use LOTO

Company Responsibilities

• Ensure de-energization of equipment

• Ensure employee awareness

• Provide appropriate levels of training

• Review program effectiveness

• Maintain and revise program

• Administer appropriate disciplinary actions

Maintenance Responsibilities

• Lockout/Tag-out prior

to service or repair

• Remove or cut locks

off isolation devices

• Ensure proper training

of authorized employees

Affected Employee Responsibilities

• Notify maintenance, etc., when equipment needs

repair or adjustment

• Leave all LOTO devices in place

• Verify equipment is safe to operate following LOTO

• Follow all safety rules while operating the equipment

Authorized Employee

Responsibilities

• Repair or service equipment as needed

• Ensure that all energy sources are locked out

• Test equipment to verify residual energy is dissipated

• Place a “Danger—Do Not Operate” tag on equipment

Authorized Employee Responsibilities (cont.)

• Obtain assistance

when necessary

• Remove locks and/or

tags following LOTO

• Coordinate

multi-shift repair

Training Requirements

• Authorized employees—initially and at least annually

• Affected employees—at least initially

• Authorized and affected—whenever changes are

made to jobs or procedures

• Authorized and affected—when program deficiencies

are noted

How to Perform LOTO Safely

• Follow company safety procedures for LOTO

• Refer to procedures on how to lockout specific

equipment

• Keep everyone informed when equipment is repaired

or serviced

• Stay alert

• Use common sense

Quiz

1. The LOTO standard is designed to block the

flow of energy to a piece of equipment. True or False

2. Types of LOTO devices include _______, _______, and

_______.

3. It is not required that a company have written procedures for

proper lockout/tag-out. True or False

4. An authorized employee is one who _________ or _________

the equipment.

5. If a safety device is removed from a piece of equipment, LOTO

is not required. True or False

Quiz (cont.)

6. Typical energy sources found on equipment include: _______,

_______, and _______.

7. Affected employees are those who operate or work around a

piece of equipment. True or False

8. As long as an employee has had training on LOTO, the

employer or company has no additional responsibilities under

1910.147. True or False

9. Training for authorized employees must be conducted

_________ and at least _________.

10. Locks should always stay on the equipment during a shift

change. True or False

11006115 Copyright 1999 Business and Legal Reports Inc.

Quiz Answers

1. True. It should block the flow of energy and provide

a means of warning.

2. Types of LOTO devices include locks, blocks, chains, hasps,

wheel valve covers and ball valve covers.

3. False. If lockout is required, a company must have a written

program and procedures.

4. An authorized employee is one who services or maintains the

equipment.

5. False. LOTO is required when a safety device is removed, an

employee is in harms way or when employees are exposed to

hazardous energy.

Quiz Answers (cont.)

6. Typical energy sources include: electricity, hydraulics, pneumatics,

steam, thermal, chemical and gravity.

7. True. Affected employees are those who operate or work around the

equipment.

8. False. Training is just one of the responsibilities of a company.

9. Training for authorized employees must be conducted initially and

at least annually.

10. False. Locks should be removed during shift change and the shift

coming on duty should place their locks on the equipment.