Lock Out/Tag Out Procedures

Preparation for Shutdown.

• In preparation for lockout, an initial survey must be made to locate and identify all energy isolating devices to be certain which switch, valve, or other energy isolating devices apply to the machine / equipment to be locked out. (See Appendix E for Energy Source Evaluation) More than one energy source (electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or others) may be involved.

• Before an authorized or affected employee turns off a machine or piece of equipment, the authorized employee must have knowledge of the type and magnitude of the energy to be controlled, and the methods or means to control the energy

Machine or Equipment Shutdown.

• All affected employees shall be notified that a lockout system is to be utilized and the reason for it, before the controls are applied.

• If the machine or equipment is operating, shut it down by normal stopping procedure. (Depress stop button, open toggle switch, etc.)

Machine or Equipment Isolation

• Physically locate and operate the switch, valve, or other energy isolating devices so that the equipment is isolated from its energy sources and apply adequate hardware.

Lockout Device Application.

• Authorized employees shall lockout the energy isolating devices with assigned individual locks.

• Lockout devices shall be applied so that they will hold the energy isolating devices in a “Neutral” or “Off” position.

Stored Energy.

• All stored or residual energy in rams, flywheels, springs, pneumatic, or hydraulic systems, etc. shall be blocked or dissipated. If there is a possibility of reaccumulation of stored energy, verification of isolation must be continued until servicing or maintenance is completed.

Verification of Isolation.

• Prior to starting work on machines or equipment that have been locked and after ensuring that no personnel are exposed, the authorized employee shall operate the push button or normal operating controls to verify that the appropriate equipment or machine has been deenergized and make certain it will not operate.

If the authorized employee who applied the lock is not available, the supervisor shall take the following steps:

• Clear the machine or equipment of tools and materials.

• Remove employees from the machine or equipment.

• Remove the lockout device.

• Energize and proceed with testing or positioning.

In the proceeding steps, if more than one individual is required to lockout machines / equipment (group lockout), the following procedures shall be implemented to provide protection to all employees.

• A primary authorized employee will be designated and responsible for the number of people working under the protection of the group lockout device. The primary authorized employee will ascertain the exposure status of the individual member participating in the group lockout to ensure continuity of protection for each individual. In addition, this primary authorized employee will be responsible for notifying affected employees before and after lockout procedures are performed.

• Each authorized employee will place his/her own personal lockout device on the energy isolating device(s).

• When an energy- isolating device cannot accept multiple locks, a multiple lockout system must be used.

Cord and Plug Connected Equipment - If servicing or maintenance is performed on cord and plug connected equipment the following procedure shall be performed to protect employees.

• Unplug equipment from its electrical socket.

• Place a lockable cover over the plug and a lock on the plug cover during machine / equipment servicing or maintenance.

Outside Contractors - If outside contractors perform servicing or maintenance that requires lockout, the Safety Director shall take the following steps.

• Inform the outside contractor of out company’s lockout procedures and supply them with a copy.

• Obtain and review a copy of the outside contractor’s lockout procedures.

• Ensure that our employees understand and comply with the responsibilities and prohibitions of the outside contractor’s lockout procedure.

Authorized employees shall receive training covering:

• Recognition of hazardous energy sources.

• Types and magnitude of hazardous energy in the workplace.

• Methods, devices, and procedures used to lockout, verify lockout, and otherwise control hazardous energy on all pieces or types of equipment (including cord and plug connected equipment).

• Procedures for removing locks and returning a machine or piece of equipment to operation.

• Transfer of lockout responsibilities.

• Group lockout procedures.

Affected and all “other” employees shall receive training so that they are able to:

• Recognize when energy control procedures are being implemented, and

• Understanding the purpose of the procedures and the importance of not attempting to start up or use the machine / equipment that has been locked out.

Retraining - Authorized and affected employees shall receive retraining in proper application of lockout procedures when there is a change in:

• Job assignment(s) that expose an authorized employee to new hazards or lockout procedures

• Machines, equipment, or processes that present a new hazard or require modified lockout procedures.

• Energy control procedures for a piece or type of equipment.

• Or when it becomes known that an employee incorrectly performs lockout procedures.

Periodic Inspections

• An inspection of the energy control procedures will be conducted annually and will be certified

• Energy control procedures for each machine or type of machine must be inspected.

• The inspection shall include a review of lockout responsibilities with each individual authorized to lockout the machine / equipment.

• The person who performs the inspection must be authorized to perform the lockout procedures being inspected. The inspector cannot, however, review his/her own use of lockout procedures.

• Any deviations or inadequacies identified shall be immediately addressed.

DATE:

CONDUCTED BY:

Location:

Work Center:

Equipment Name:

Model:

Serial #:

Lockout Procedure Number: