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Construction employees can be injured or killed by the uncontrolled release of hazardous energy. Many of these accidents can be prevented by using proper lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures. The topic of lockout/tagout (properly named The Control of Hazardous Energy), covers the servicing and maintenance of machinery in which the unexpected energization or start up of the machines or equipment, or the release of stored energy could cause injury to employees.
The OSHA regulations require your company to establish procedures for isolating machines or equipment from the input of energy, and affixing locks or tags to energy-isolating devices to prevent injury to workers.
Failure to adequately control energy could cause a serious accident at your construction site. Lockout/tagout procedures help safeguard you and fellow employees from the unexpected start-up of tools or other equipment or the release of hazardous energy while performing servicing or maintenance tasks.
What is lockout for electrical work? Lockout is the process of turning off and locking out the flow of energy from a power source to a piece of equipment or a circuit, and keeping it locked out. Lockout is accomplished by installing a lockout device at the power source.
What is tagout for electrical work? Tagout is placing a tag on the power source. The tag acts as a warning not to restore energy. It is not a physical restraint. Tags must clearly state: “Do Not Start.”
What must be locked or tagged out? You should never work on:
- Electrical circuits unless an effective lockout/tagout program is implemented.
- Energized electrical circuits which are not positively deenergized or tagged out.
The construction rules actually mention electrical lockout/tagout briefly and in only one place. However, this one place gives you some good rules to apply to lockout/tagout procedures for electrical equipment. They are:
- Tag all controls that are to be deactivated during the course of work on energized or deenergized equipment or circuits.
- Render equipment or circuits that are deenergized inoperative and attach tags at all points where such equipment or circuits can be energized.
- Place tags to plainly identify the equipment or circuits being worked on.
Although the above rules use tagout procedures, OSHA says that lockout is more effective for deenergizing equipment. It should always be the preferred method.
In order to properly lockout and tag equipment, your company must have an effective program/procedure. A written program is a positive step to protect you against accidental or inadvertent equipment operation. Be aware of any company policies and procedures regarding lockout or tagout of electrical equipment.