Controlling Hazardous Energy: Lockout/Tagout

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Controlling Hazardous Energy Lockout/Tagout & Hazardous Energy

Common Injuries from Hazardous Energy 1 Electrocution 2 Amputation 3 Burns 4 Crushing 5 Fractures

Lockout/Tagout Procedures Before starting any LO/TO procedure, make sure you are familiar with all aspects of the plant.

1 Shut the plant down.

2 Identify all energy sources and other hazards.

3 Identify all isolation points & deactivate all energy sources.

4 De-energize all stored energies. Check your equipment for the proper procedures in de-energising.

5 Lock out all isolation points. Always double-check afterward to ensure each energy source is effectively locked out.

6 Tag out. The process of attaching more information onto the lockout device. Common tags include danger tags and out-of-service tags.

7 Test the isolation procedure. Check that the plant is safe for maintenance. Make sure that re-activating the plant is impossible during this period. Using the appropriate, and properly calibrated testing equipment to check that all the the parts have been deenergised.

Electrical Hazards It can often cause shock and/or fire.

Mechanical Hazards Two types of hazards can occur, with the most being moving parts but don't forget that many machines also store energy, and when suddenly released, can cause injuries.

Hydraulic Hazards The energy of liquids under pressure can pose several hazards, such as causing plant parts to move. The rapid release of energy can cause serious injuries, and hydraulic fluid can cause burns.

Pneumatic Hazards Compressed gases, when uncontrollably released, can cause injury. All systems must be properly vented before starting maintenance.

Chemical Hazards Chemical energy can start fires, cause skin burns and generate harmful gases or fumes.

Thermal Hazards Hot equipment & fluids can burn, while cold fluids can cause severe injuries.

What should you do after you have locked out and tagged out a piece of equipment? Select all that apply.

IMPORTANT NOTE In general, LOTO is required for planned maintenance activities that take longer to complete. However, if a risk assessment finds an activity high risk, LOTO procedures must still be followed to avoid potential accidents. Examples of these cases are the following: When the task requires bypassing machine guards and other safety devices A part of your body will be in an unsafe zone or near the operating part of the machine.

Controlling Hazardous Energy Lockout Procedures

Lockout Device Types

Padlocks and Chains

Safety Lockouts Jaws or Hasps that can be used in conjunction with multiple locks

Switches with a built-in lock

Lockouts for Circuit Breakers, Fuses, and Valves

Who's in charge of holding onto the key?

What happens with multiple energy sources? Plants with multiple energy sources or hazards undergo the same procedure. Only the person that applied the lock should hold the key to unlock it.

Controlling Hazardous Energy Tagout Procedures

What happens if the maintenance work isn't complete at the end of my shift? Check in with your workplace isolation procedure to see what you need to do if a person does not remove a personal danger tag before leaving the worksite. Generally speaking, if the plant is to remain isolated, then the personal danger tag should be replaced with a out of service tag. The tag should be applied to each isolation point before the personal tags are removed. If maintenance is to continue over to the next shift, then a handover briefing should be given to the team taking over. Briefing information should include: the status of the work and the removal or replacement of personal danger tags and locks

Controlling Hazardous Energy Removal Procedure

STEP 1: Inspect equipment. Thoroughly inspect if the equipment is operating as intended and its parts are in their right places , especially the covers and safeguards.

STEP 2: Clear the area. Remove wastes and all unnecessary items from the area. Check that everyone is out of the danger zone.

STEP 3: Inform others. Inform all concerned employees that reenergising is about to take place.

STEP 4: Remove LO/TO devices.

STEP 5: Re-energize the equipment. Reconnect the equipment to the energy source and restart.

STEP 6: Verify safe operation. Confirm that everything is done safely and no new hazard is created.

What happens if the maintenance work isn't complete at the end of your shift? Check in with your workplace isolation procedure to see what you need to do if a person does not remove a personal danger tag before leaving the worksite. Generally speaking, if the equipment is to remain isolated, then the personal danger tag should be replaced with an out-of-service tag. The tag should be applied to each isolation point before the personal tags are removed. If maintenance is to continue over to the next shift then a handover briefing should be given to the team taking over. Briefing information should include the status of the work and the removal or replacement of personal danger tags and locks.