Procedures,
devices, and personnel must be set in place to prevent a serious
injury or death that could occur when someone thinks something is
safely off. To ensure machines and equipment, remain off means to
establish a “program consisting of energy control procedures,
employee training, and periodic inspections . . . “, as described
in the OSHA standard. The standard also identifies products used
for lockout/tagout, such as lockout devices and tagout devices.
The
following are 7 steps to help you create an effective and safe Lockout/Tagout
Program |
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1.
Be Aware of the Lockout Regulations
Become familiar with the federal regulations
known as The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout). OSHA
29 CFR § 1910.147 states the Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)
“. . . requires the employers to establish a program and utilize
procedures for affixing appropriate lockout devices or tagout devices
to energy isolating devices, and to otherwise disable machines or
equipment to prevent unexpected energization, start-up or release
of stored energy in order to prevent injury to employees.
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2.
Develop List of Machinery and Equipment
Survey your facility for all machinery and
equipment that have the potential for requiring lockout. |
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3.
Identify and Mark Energy Sources and Lockout Points
Locate and document start-up areas of energy
sources, such as:
• Mechanical
• Electrical
• Hydraulic
• Thermal
• Pressure
• Process Control
• Stored Energy (Gravity and Springs) |
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4.
Determine the Lockout Controls
Identify and document the necessary devices
that isolate and lockout energy sources, and secure them for on-site
use. Standardize the devices for various functions for proper identification. |
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5.
Set-up Lockout Training and Procedure Program
Develop, standardize and document the lockout
process—for each energy source. Identify employees’
level of involvement in the program—those that are made aware,
affected, and to perform the lockout procedures. Accomplish this
through comprehensive training programs and certifications. |
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6.
Implement the Lockout Program
Initiate and enact the lockout/tagout program
that follows the training procedures. Post reminders and have the
necessary lockout/tagout devices readily available. |
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7.
Review Lockout Program
Identify and document changes to existing
lockout procedures and new energy sources that require lockout.
Make corrections, changes and additions tot he program. Conduct
periodic review of lockout procedures (required at least annually)
to ensure they are up to date and requirements are being met. |
Note:
Safety Hasps are ideal when more than one worker or procedure is
required on locked out equipment. A hasp accommodates up to six
padlocks (sold separately with shackle diameter up to 9/32”).
They can help ensure the energy source stays shut off by staying
closed—on a switch, fuse box, lever, etc.—with multiple
workers’ padlocks in the holes of the closed hasps. As each
worker, assigned to a padlock, completes their task, they remove
their padlock. The hasp cannot be removed from the locked-out energy
source until the last padlock is removed. |
Copyright
© 2003 Accuform Signs. All rights reserved. This information
is provided “as is”, in the form of an informational
guide, and is not to be considered a warranty of product performance.
Due to the diverse field conditions and other variables which can
affect a product’s performance, Flame
Tamers
disclaims all warranties (expressed and implied) as to any product’s
performance or any information provided. |
