LOTOTO – Because Freak Accidents Happen
What if someone didn’t know that you were working on a machine, or electrical outlet, and turned on the power? Lockout/tagout/tryout is a safety procedure used to ensure that dangerous machines, equipment, or services are properly shut off and not able to be started up again before maintenance is completed.
I know about lockout/tagout, but why tryout? Workers have died (even recently) because they didn’t check the machine after performing the lockout/tagout procedure. The equipment’s potentially stored or residual energy can power the machine long enough to injure or kill anyone that may be working on it’s electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, or tension components.
SSOE requires employees to be trained in lockout/tagout/tryout procedures, and renew their training every three years. OSHA standards require that employers establish energy controls procedures and a training program for employees. Employees must follow the established lockout/tagout procedure before performing maintenance.
What must workers do before they begin service or maintenance activities?
Before beginning service or maintenance, the following steps must be accomplished in sequence and according to the specific provisions of the employer’s energy-control procedure:
- Prepare for shutdown;
- Shut down the machine;
- Disconnect or isolate the machine from the energy source(s);
- Apply the lockout or tagout device(s) to the energy-isolating device(s);
- Release, restrain, or render safe all potential hazardous stored or residual energy. If a possibility exists for re-accumulation of hazardous energy, regularly verify during service and maintenance that such energy has not re-accumulated to hazardous levels;
- Verify the isolation and de-energization of the machine.
