Lockout/tagout (LOTO)

Introduction
Lockout/tagout (LOTO) refers to the specific practices and procedures to protect workers from injury due to the unexpected energization or startup of machinery and equipment, or the release of hazardous energy during operations, service, or maintenance activities. LOTO for conduct of operations uses different tags and locks to protect equipment/program or to provide operating information for devices and equipment. LOTO for worker protection requires that the energy disconnecting devices are locked in the “safe” or “off” positions. All BNL and non-BNL employees must comply with the restrictions and limitations of this lockout/tagout program. Only Employees Authorized by the Department/Division are to perform LOTO, in accordance with this program. All BNL and non-BNL employees upon observing a piece of equipment that is LOTO’ed must not attempt to start, energize, or use that machine or equipment. Violation of this program falls under the guidelines of the Disciplinary Actions Subject Area.
This subject area is based on OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 and 29 CFR 1910.333, DOE O 5480.19, and NFPA 70E, “Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces” and uses the more restrictive requirements of each. This subject area describes the program to be used by Laboratory employees, contractors, guests, and others visiting or working at the BNL site.
This subject area does not cover the following:

• Cord and plug-connected electrical equipment that is unplugged and the plug is within sight and under the exclusive control of the employee performing the service.
• Installations over 600 volts that are considered electric utility transmission and distribution (these installations are covered in 29 CFR 1910.269).
• Minor tool changes and adjustments, other minor servicing, and normal production operations if they are routine, repetitive, and integral to the use of the equipment for production. The work must be performed using alternative measures that provide effective protection.

BNL has four lockout/tagout procedures:

• Simple lockout/tagout procedure – involves an Authorized Employee/Worker locking/tagging equipment with one source of energy. When more than one Authorized Employee/Worker is involved, each attaches their lock and confirms de-energization of the energy source.
• Complex/Group/Operations lockout/tagout procedure – involves more complicated LOTO procedures, which are described clearly in plans or procedures, including:
  • Complex lockout/tagout procedure – involves a Person-in-Charge, who is an Authorized Employee/Worker, with overall responsibility for the lockout procedure, verifying de-energization and equipment isolation, locking/tagging the equipment with a specific written plan where one or more of the following conditions exist:
  • Multiple energy sources;
  • Multiple crews with all Authorized Employees/Workers*;
  • Multiple crafts with all Authorized Employees/Workers*;
  • Multiple locations;
  • BNL and non-BNL workers who are all Authorized Employees/Workers*;
  • Different disconnecting means;
  • Particular sequences required for lockout;
  • Job or task that continues for more than one shift, i.e., new workers who are all Authorized Employees/Workers*.
  • Group lockout/tagout procedure – allows a single Responsible Employee/Worker to be in charge of the LOTO and to be responsible for the overall LOTO and the assurance for hazardous energy control of a complicated system for a group of Authorized Employees/Workers. Each Authorized Employee/Worker must also hang their personal lock to exercise their control over the hazardous energy sources.
  • Operations lockout/tagout procedure – Equivalent in all aspects to Group LOTO with the exception that the Responsible Employee/Worker is identified as a responsible group position (i.e., Operations Department, Maintenance Department, Shift Supervisor, Operations Coordinator) instead of a specific individual. This way any Responsible Employee/Worker in this group who is responsible for this LOTO may hang the first lock and remove the last lock. Operations LOTO is used when personal on shift are controlling the hazardous energy as the Responsible Employee/Worker. Each Authorized Employee/Worker must also hang their personal lock to exercise their control over the hazardous energy sources. Following verification that the equipment is de-energized and isolated, the Responsible Employee/Worker, acting as the primary authorized employee, will place the appropriate LOTO mechanism (hasps, locks, tags) that allows each Authorized Employee/Worker to place their personal LOTO device alongside that of the Responsible Employee/Worker.
    
    *Person in-charge must also be authorized as Responsible Employee/Worker.