1. Implementing Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)

Applicability
This information applies to Authorized Employees/Workers who perform Lockout/Tagout for protection of personnel from unexpected energization or startup of machinery and equipment, or the release of hazardous energy during operations, service, or maintenance activities.

Required Procedure
The Department Chair/Division Manager is responsible for directly implementing this procedure. This procedure also applies to lockout/tagout for conduct of operations on a graded approach for protection of equipment/programs and to provide operational information.
Lockout/tagout applies to fixed, permanently installed equipment, to temporarily installed equipment, and to portable equipment.
If an energy isolating device is capable of being locked, the Authorized Employee/Worker performing service or maintenance must use a lock.

Step 1	Supervisors must ensure that all personnel are trained to the hazard level they will be exposed: All personnel who work on or near equipment that may be locked/tagged for service or maintenance must be trained to the level of Affected Employee/Worker. New or reassigned employees who will be authorized to lockout/tagout must be trained of the hazards and safety controls for the equipment or machines they will be assigned to operate, maintain, or service and the procedures required for lockout/tagout of that equipment.
Step 2	Authorized Employees/Workers must develop plans and controls for the servicing and maintenance, including lockout/tagout, of machines and equipment as per the requirements in the Work Planning and Control for Experiments and Operations Subject Area.
Step 3	Authorized Employees/Workers must visually inspect the equipment prior to LOTO. If the equipment that will be deenergized exists in a work area with other energized equipment that is similar in size, shape, and construction that might be look-alike equipment and could be mistaken for the equipment that is to be serviced or maintained. One of the following methods must be used to prevent access to the wrong equipment: Safety signs or tags; Barricades; Attendants.
Step 4	The equipment operator or the Authorized Employee/Worker must shutdown machine or equipment using the normal shutdown procedures.
Step 5	Authorized Employees/Workers, while performing the lockout/tagout process, must verify that all sources of hazardous energy are controlled to minimize exposure to all persons whether or not they are involved in servicing/maintenance.
Step 6	The Department/Division ensures that a specific written lockout/tagout (LOTO) plan, when required (go to the various lockout/tagout procedures in the Introduction section), is developed, documented, and used (see the exhibit Samples of Lockout/Tagout Plans). The plan must clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be used for the control of hazardous energy including: Specific statement of the intended use of the procedure; Specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking, and securing the equipment to control the hazardous energy; Specific procedural steps for testing to verify absence of hazardous energy; Specific procedural steps for the placement, removal, and transfer of lock and tag; Responsibility for locks and tags; and Specific requirements for testing to determine and verify the effectiveness of the locks and tags and other energy control measures. Specific written plans must be saved until audited per step 9.
Step 7	The Department/Division ensures that all equipment that may require servicing or maintenance and is capable of causing injury is capable of being locked out. Note: Equipment installed before January 2, 1990, was not required to have means for locking out. Ensure equipment that is designed to accept a lockout device is installed whenever major replacement, repair, renovation, or modification of the equipment is performed.
Step 8	Whenever outside service personnel are required to perform lockout/tagout, as per the requirements of this procedure, the hosting Department/Division must ensure that they comply with the requirements of this procedure or that they have an approved equivalent procedure.
Step 9	Each Department/Division must conduct periodic inspections (audits) at least annually, of at least one LOTO in progress and LOTO plans in detail (see the exhibit Criteria for LOTO Inspections [Audits]. The Inspector (an Authorized Employee/Worker other than the one using the energy-control procedure being inspected) must keep a record of the LOTO procedure being audited to include the date, employees performing the procedure, and the person performing the audit. The Inspection must correct any deficiencies in the procedure, or in understanding the requirements of the procedure. Where tagout only is used for energy control, the inspection must include a review of the limitations of tagout only (i.e., tags are essentially warning devices that may evoke a false sense of security); tags must be legible and understandable by all Authorized Employees/Workers and Affected Employees/Workers; and the tags and their attachment means must withstand the environment they will encounter. A copy of the record of audit must be available for review for the past full year.
Step 10	If an energy isolating device is not capable of being locked, tagout devices must be affixed to clearly indicate that the operation of the energy isolating device is prohibited and additional means must be used for full employee protection, including the implementation of additional safety measures such as the removal of an isolating circuit element, blocking of a controlling switch, opening of an extra disconnecting device, or the removal of a valve handle to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent energization.
Step 11	The equipment required for LOTO for servicing or maintenance includes a distinctive red tag (BNL Stock #S-81045) and a distinct Master Lock with a red band (BNL Stock #I-65064) to be identifiable to the Authorized Employee/Worker and only used for personal LOTO. LOTO locks with multiple keys are allowable. An organizational-level procedure is required to document how multiple keys are controlled (either destruction of additional keys or controlled through administrative procedure). Contractors may use a Danger Tag that meets ANSI Z535.5, Safety Tags and Barricade Tapes and must use red banded locks with similar look to the BNL required lock. Tags must be capable of withstanding the environment to which they are exposed (laminating, sleeves, etc.). The equipment required for LOTO for conduct of operations must be compliant with ANSI Z535.5 –Safety Tags and Barricade Tapes, and any operations or system lock may be used when required (existing tags may be used until exhausted). Locks, tags, chains, wedges, key blocks, adapter pins, self-locking fasteners, or other hardware must be supplied by the Department/Division for BNL employees and by the employer for non-BNL employees.
Step 12	Tags are required in addition to locks with the following exceptions: When a Responsible Employee/Worker attaches his lock and tag subsequent Authorized Employees/Workers may attach locks only; When a single Authorized Employee/Worker, within sight of the single disconnecting means and completes the task within one shift, may attach lock only if the lock has employee identifying information. BNL tags must clearly indicate the name of the employee and organization applying it. Contractor tags must clearly indicate the company and employee applying the lock, if this information is not contained on the lock.
Step 13	Authorized Employees/Workers ensure that Hold tags are logged in LOTO log books when utilized