Key Questions
The following key questions are answered in this module:
What is lockout/tagout?
Lockout/tagout refers to specific practices and procedures to safeguard all workers from the unexpected startup of machinery and equipment or the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance activities. Lockout/tagout can be defined as the placement of a lock or tag on an energy isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, ensuring that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled cannot be re-energized until the locking device is removed.
What are primary energy sources to be isolated during lockout/tagout?
Primary energy sources include electricity, hydraulics (fluids), and pneumatics (air or vacuum energy).
What are secondary (or stored) energy sources to be isolated during lockout/tagout?
Secondary energy sources include springs, capacitors, accumulators, counterbalance systems, gravity, and inertia.
What is an authorized person or employee?
An authorized person is the one who performs the lockout. This is someone who is familiar with the equipment in question and capable of locking it out properly.
What is an affected employee?
An "affected employee" is an employee that is affected by the lockout. This commonly includes machine operators who need to know that their machine should not be operated.
What are six steps to an effective energy control program?
Six steps to an effective energy control program include preparation, shut down, isolation, lockout/tagout, stored energy check, and isolation verification.
What types of hardware are used to lockout machinery?
Locks and hasps are used to lockout machinery for energy control.