Lockout exceptions. OSHA provides some exceptions that allow for equipment service or maintenance without using lockout procedures. The first is for “cord and plug” equipment. If a tool or machine can simply be unplugged, and the worker performing the service remains in control of the plug, then lockout procedures aren’t necessary.
1. LOTO Procedure . LOCKOUT TAGOUT PROCEDURE . Equipment Identification. Equipment Name/Description: Band Saw (HH Roberts) Equipment Location:
Institute procedures for release of lockout/tagout including machine inspection, notification and safe positioning of employees and removal of the lockout/tagout device. Obtain standardized locks and tags which indicate the identity of the employee using them and which are of sufficient quality and durability to ensure their effectiveness.
The easiest way to understand the lockout/tagout standard's stance on group lockout and shift changes is to understand (and I mean really understand) the intent of the section, which is: To prevent unexpected start up of equipment or energy to protect employees from harm. Based on what we know from this accident, the authorized employee should OSHA’s Control of Hazardous Energy control programs, usually called the “Lockout/Tagout” standard (or LOTO for short), outlines what workers should do to safely depower dangerous machines. One of the main steps of a LOTO program is literally locking the machine or equipment in the “off” position and adding a tag with the name of the
The five steps are: Develop and document your energy control policy/program. Create and post written, equipment-specific lockout procedures. Identify and mark all energy control points. Train your employees, communicate and conduct periodic inspections. Equip your employees with the proper lockout tools and warning devices.
The energy control program (Lockout/Tagout program) will be audited at least annually to ensure that the procedure and requirements of the OSHA standard are being followed. Included in the audit is a session in which management and employees review the results of this procedure. Basic Rules for Using Lockout or Tagout System Procedures: Step 4 - Lock out equipment. Locks and tags shall be applied to isolate each power source to prevent the operation of the equipment controls. One lock and tag shall be applied to each point of protect; Ref - AFMAN 91-203 21.4.2.4.1 4.1.4.1 Locks installed on energy isolation devices shall be color-coded red to allow easy recognition throughout Steps for lockout There are three basic steps for lock out procedures in the workplace: Pre-lockout starts with the issue of a lockout work permit by the responsible person. This is followed by the drawing of locks and keys, deactivating the equipment or process through conventional or other means and the securing of the lock on the lockout device. Preparing for Group Lockout/Tagouts. Group lockout/tagout procedures help address the issue by laying out, in detail, how facilities should prepare machines for maintenance when multiple people or multiple shifts of people are involved. Grover notes that there is no one plan that will work for every facility. Equipment Specific LOCKOUT/TAGOUT Procedures: In cases where equipment is not isolated by a cord and plug only, a specific LOCKOUT/TAGOUT procedure must be written detailing the specific steps that must be taken to isolate the energy sources (see example of an Equipment Specific LOCKOUT/TAGOUT procedure in Appendix 3). It is required that The federal lockout/tagout standard, 29 CFR 1910.147, published by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), went into effect in 1989. It was designed to prevent injuries and deaths Lockout/Tagout Procedure (4) Shut down the air handler supply/return fans by calling the HVAC BMS Department who will shut down the control signal to the unit. (5) Deactivate the electrical energy by turning off the power at the VFD disconnect for each unit. (6) Lockout the disconnect for each VFD with shop or individually assigned locks. Without question, detailed and written lockout procedures are a must for any group lockout system. That means a consistent, applicable control method must be understood and used. If two workers disagree on the correct method to secure a specific machine, it means one is wrong or both are. Felx.
