Lockout and Tagout

LOCKOUT/TAGOUT

From time to time, the need will arise to perform maintenance, 
repairs, cleaning, inspection, or refitting of industrial equipment, 
machinery, and fixtures. According to the latest statistics, two people 
are killed every 10 minutes, and an additional one hundred and seventy 
people suffer severe or disabling injuries due to accidents sustained 
while at work.

Most of these accidents can be avoided by providing proper training, and 
implementing a proper lockout/tagout procedures at your facility. We can 
provide you with training on general lockout/tagout procedures, or we can
custom design this program to suit your specific needs


INTRODUCTION

The following topics are included in the introduction section: What is a 
lockout/tagout procedure and why must this program be followed? Why do 
lockout/tagout accidents happen? What is the difference between lockout 
and tagout? When and where lockout/tagout procedures must be used. The 
participants will also learn about the potential dangers when working 
with industrial equipment as well as their responsibilities under the 
Occupational Health and Safety Act.


PRE-SHIFT INSPECTIONS

The participants are informed on the importance of pre-shift inspections 
and their role in preventing accidents and costly equipment repairs. 
Each person is trained on the proper use of a written checklist, and the 
proper procedures for conducting an inspection and reporting any faults. 
Also included in this section are the regulations that apply to the 
"Right of Refusal" of an employee to perform a specific job function 
when health and safety in the work place may be compromised.


LOCKOUT/TAGOUT PROCEDURE

Controlled shutdown and immobilization of equipment and machinery is the 
first step to maintaining a safe environment. All employees must be 
informed when machinery is to be locked or tagged out of service. A full 
briefing of all personnel involved must be conducted to prevent accidental
use of the machine while it is locked out, and to inform workers of any 
hazards that may be associated with shutting down or working on a 
particular machine (ie. vapor build up, static charges, toxic effects, 
protective equipment, etc.).

Following the correct written procedure for lockout/tagout at specific 
sites starting with obtaining proper permits, and locking out the energy 
source. Placing warning signs and applying personal locks, clearing the 
area, obtaining the proper personal protective equipment are next on 
the agenda.


COMMUNICATION

Depending on the work to be completed, you may require a project team or 
site supervision to ensure safety. In some situations, the need for 
communication is an integral part of performing proper maintenance or 
repairs. The mode of this communication must be accurately determined 
(ie. two way radios, hand signals, etc.) and all pertinent personnel must
be well versed in the use of these techniques.


PROPER PREPARATION

Before engaging in repairs, there may be a need to obtain adequate 
bracing, parts and equipment to do the job correctly. In addition, the 
lockout must be double checked, and certain tests such as air quality 
and temperature may need to be checked before the work begins. The 
written checklist should cover these points in an organized fashion to 
ensure safety. As an example, did the machinery have proper time to cool 
before there is any physical contact, or were the wires tested with a 
meter to ensure that they were not live?


UNIQUE SITUATIONS

When working on industrial equipment, there may be additional safeguards 
that must be put in place to ensure safety. Some examples would be 
covering hot pipes, bleeding hydraulic lines or pipes, locking out all 
valves, tightening and securing flanges, exposure to heat, cold or 
pressure, and entering confined spaces.


RESTART PROCEDURE

Once the work has been completed, the proper procedure must be followed 
using a written checklist to avoid accident or injury. This starts with 
removing all braces, safety chains, heat shields, tools and personnel 
from the area at which the work was completed. There may be a need to 
re-pressurize piping, ground equipment, or refill containers. This
should be done slowly and cautiously. Re-energizing the equipment 
according to the order on the checklist must be strictly adhered to.

With the area clear of all non essential personnel, the main power may 
be re-connected, the machinery testing procedure performed, notification 
of staff that the work has been completed, removal of all locks, tags, 
and temporary warning signs and barricades.