Tuesday, 16 September 2025

Lockout/tagout (LOTO) is a safety procedure that uses locks and tags to prevent the sudden startup of machinery and release of hazardous energy during servicing or maintenance, protecting workers from injury or death

 Lockout/tagout (LOTO) is a safety procedure that uses locks and tags to prevent the sudden startup of machinery and release of hazardous energy during servicing or maintenance, protecting workers from injury or death. It involves de-energizing and securing equipment by isolating it from its power source and then applying a lock and a tag to the energy-isolating device. The lock physically keeps the equipment in a safe, off state, while the tag warns others that the machine is out of service.  


Key Components of LOTO

Lockout: A physical lock is applied to an energy-isolating device (like a circuit breaker or valve) to prevent it from being operated. This ensures that the equipment cannot be turned on or re-energized. 

Tagout: A tag is attached to the lockout device, providing information about the lockout, such as the reason for it and the name of the authorized worker who applied it. 

Purpose of LOTO

Worker Protection: LOTO protects workers from hazards such as unexpected equipment startups, moving parts, and electrical shock. 

Energy Control: It controls hazardous energy sources, including electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic energy, that could cause harm if released during maintenance. 

Compliance: Adhering to LOTO procedures is a legal requirement enforced by organizations like OSHA to prevent workplace accidents and injuries. 

When LOTO is Used

Servicing and Maintenance: LOTO is performed before any work is done on equipment that requires removal of safety devices or the opening of energy sources. 

Equipment with Moving Parts: Procedures are used on machinery such as conveyors, turbines, and other machines with moving or potentially dangerous components. 

12 comments:

  1. LOTO is a safety procedure which is used in industry and research settings to ensure that dangerous machines are properly shut off and not started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or servicing work.

    It requires that hazardous power sources be "isolated and rendered inoperative" before any repair procedure is started.

    "Lock and tag" works in conjunction with a lock usually locking the device or the power source with the hasp, and placing it in such a position that no hazardous power sources can be turned on.

    The procedure requires that a tag be affixed to the locked device indicating that it should not be turned on.

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  2. Lockout/Tagout/Tryout (LOTOTO) is an enhanced safety procedure that goes beyond standard LOTO by adding a crucial verification step: the "Tryout". After applying locks and tags to energy sources, workers must attempt to operate the equipment by pressing buttons or flipping switches to confirm that all hazardous energy has been successfully isolated and the machine is completely de-energized before maintenance begins. This extra step ensures machinery is truly safe and prevents accidental startup during servicing

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  3. Key Components of LOTO
    Lockout: A physical lock is applied to an energy-isolating device (like a circuit breaker or valve) to prevent it from being operated. This ensures that the equipment cannot be turned on or re-energized. 
    Tagout: A tag is attached to the lockout device, providing information about the lockout, such as the reason for it and the name of the authorized worker who applied it. 
    Purpose of LOTO
    Worker Protection: LOTO protects workers from hazards such as unexpected equipment startups, moving parts, and electrical shock. 
    Energy Control: It controls hazardous energy sources, including electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic energy, that could cause harm if released during maintenance. 
    Compliance: Adhering to LOTO procedures is a legal requirement enforced by organizations like OSHA to prevent workplace accidents and injuries. 
    When LOTO is Used
    Servicing and Maintenance: LOTO is performed before any work is done on equipment that requires removal of safety devices or the opening of energy sources. 
    Equipment with Moving Parts: Procedures are used on machinery such as conveyors, turbines, and other machines with moving or potentially dangerous components. 

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  4. Prepare for Shutdown: Review the unique LOTO procedure for the specific equipment. 
    Notify Affected Employees: Inform all relevant personnel that the equipment is being shut down for maintenance. 
    Shut Down the Machine: Turn off the equipment using its normal stopping procedure. 
    Isolate Energy Sources: Disconnect the equipment from all energy sources, such as electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic. 
    Apply Locks and Tags: Secure the energy-isolating devices with locks and attach warning tags with identification information. 
    Release Stored Energy: Ensure any residual energy in the system, like pressure or springs, is released or safely controlled. 
    Verify Isolation (Tryout): Attempt to operate the equipment (e.g., press buttons, flip switches) to confirm that it cannot be started. 
    Perform Maintenance: Once you are certain the machine is safely isolated, begin the maintenance or cleaning work. 
    Restore Equipment: After completing the work, ensure all equipment and personnel are clear, then remove the locks and tags and restore power to the system. 

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  5. Protects maintenance personnel from power being reapplied by mistake
    Recognized hazard
    Locks out or tags out machines or equipment in order to perform servicing or maintenance on that machine or equipment
    Affected employee whose duties include servicing or maintenance under this section

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  6. A mechanical device that physically prevents the transmission or release or energy
    Circuit breakers included
    NOT push buttons
    NOT selector switches
    NOT control circuits

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  7. Any source of:
    Electrical,
    Mechanical,
    Hydraulic,
    Pneumatic,
    Chemical,
    Thermal, or
    Other energy

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  8. Placement of a lockout device on an energy isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, ensuring that energy isolating device and equipment being controlled cannot be operated until lockout device is removed

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  9. Device that uses a positive means such as a lock, either key or combination type, to hold an energy isolating device in the safe position and prevent the energizing of a machine or equipment
    Blank flanges and bolted slip blinds included

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  10. Workplace activities such as:
    Constructing,
    Installing,
    Setting up,
    Adjusting,
    Inspecting,
    Modifying, and
    Maintaining and/or servicing machines or equipment

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  11. Placement of tag out device
    on an energy isolating device,
    in accordance with an established procedure,
    to indicate that energy isolating device and equipment being controlled may not be operated until tag out device is removed.

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  12. లాకౌట్/ట్యాగౌట్ (LOTO) అనేది ఒక భద్రతా విధానం, ఇది యంత్రాలు అకస్మాత్తుగా స్టార్ట్ అవ్వకుండా మరియు సర్వీసింగ్ లేదా నిర్వహణ సమయంలో ప్రమాదకర శక్తి విడుదల కాకుండా నిరోధించడానికి తాళాలు మరియు ట్యాగ్‌లను ఉపయోగిస్తుంది, ఇది కార్మికులను గాయం లేదా మరణం నుండి కాపాడుతుంది. ఇది పరికరాలను దాని విద్యుత్ వనరు నుండి వేరుచేసి, ఆపై శక్తిని వేరుచేసే పరికరానికి లాక్ మరియు ట్యాగ్‌ను వర్తింపజేయడం ద్వారా శక్తిని తగ్గించడం మరియు భద్రపరచడం కలిగి ఉంటుంది. లాక్ భౌతికంగా పరికరాలను సురక్షితమైన, ఆఫ్ స్థితిలో ఉంచుతుంది, అయితే ట్యాగ్ యంత్రం సేవలో లేదని ఇతరులను హెచ్చరిస్తుంది. 

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