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Overview
OSHA statistics show that six
percent of all deaths in the workplace result from the unexpected activation of
a machine or other piece of equipment during maintenance or other servicing. In
addition, more than 25,000 work days are lost each year because of injuries in
similar situations.
OSHA’s Lockout/Tagout regulation,
29 CFR 1910.147, requires employers to develop procedures for isolating energy
sources when servicing or maintaining their equipment and machinery. The
purpose of the standard is to prevent injuries from the unexpected release of
energy.
Understanding Lockout/Tagout
Lockout/tagout is a warning and
prevention system for unexpected start-up and release of stored energy.
Two terms which directly relate to
this system are:
·
Lockout - The placement of
a device that blocks the flow of energy from a power source to a piece of
equipment.
·
Tagout - The process of
attaching a tag to a disconnect switch or other energy isolating device to warn
others not to restore energy to the tagged equipment.
When performing lockout/tagout on
equipment and machines, the operators and the people working in the area need
to be informed that lockout/tagout is being applied and servicing is being done
on the equipment and machines.
When locking out the energy source
is impossible, tagging the equipment may be the best procedure you can do.
Who is involved?
Lockout/tagout involves three
types of employees with different levels of responsibility - authorized,
affected, and other.
·
Authorized - Employees who
perform the servicing, maintenance, and set-up of equipment or machinery and
apply the locks and tags to this equipment.
·
Affected - Employees who
operate or use the equipment or machines which are locked/tagged out when
serviced, maintained, or set-up.
·
Other - Employees whose
work operations are or may be in an area where energy control procedures may be
utilized (they are neither affected nor authorized employees).
Lockout/Tagout Procedures
Each piece of equipment or machine
needs its own lockout/tagout procedure. The procedure must include:
·
Preparing for shutdown.
·
Shutting down the machine
or equipment.
·
Isolating the machine or
equipment from the energy source.
·
Applying the
lockout/tagout device to the energy-isolating equipment.
·
Verifying the isolation of
the machines or equipment prior to starting work.
·
Releasing all potentially
hazardous stored or residual energy.
The procedure should include the
steps for placement, removal, and transfer of lockout/tagout devices.
This information is provided by: Assurance Agency
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