What Is Lockout Tagout Loto

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) is a set of procedures used to ensure that equipment is shut down, inoperable, and (if applicable) de-energized. This allows for safe maintenance and repair work on systems.

The purpose of LOTO procedures during maintenance or repair of systems is to prevent hazardous equipment from restarting before maintenance or repair work is complete. Here are some key points about LOTO:

Hazardous Energy: Hazardous energy includes electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other forms of energy present in machinery and equipment. Accidental startup or release of stored energy during maintenance and servicing can result in severe injuries or even fatalities for workers.

 

Hazards: Without proper control of hazardous energy, workers performing maintenance or servicing on machinery and equipment can be seriously injured or killed. Injuries may include electric shocks, burns, crush injuries, cuts, amputations, fractures, and more. For example:

A locked-out steam valve suddenly opening, scalding a worker repairing downstream piping.

A jammed conveyor system suddenly releasing, crushing a worker attempting to clear the obstruction.

Short-circuited internal wiring in factory equipment electrocuting a worker repairing the equipment.

 

LOTO Practices and Procedures: LOTO practices and procedures aim to protect workers from the release of hazardous energy. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Lockout/Tagout standard (29 CFR 1910.147) provides measures for different types of hazardous energy control. Employers are responsible for safeguarding workers from energy hazards and must train each worker to understand and follow applicable hazardous energy control procedures.

 

Training: Workers must receive training on the purpose and function of energy control programs and possess the knowledge and skills necessary for the safe application, use, and removal of energy control devices. All employees working in areas where energy control procedures are used need guidance on the purpose and use of energy control procedures, especially the prohibition against attempting to restart or re-energize locked-out or tagged-out machines or other equipment.

For more detailed information, you can refer to OSHA’s Lockout/Tagout Fact Sheet. I hope this blog post helps you!