Safety
IB-2003
eries 40 Trans
ite-
tationary
onveyor
27
Failure to follow correct lockout/tagout procedures could
result in death or serious injury.
Lockout Procedures
Lockout procedures are a
principal means of controlling
energy hazards. A lockout
procedure is a set of safe
work practices and rules
that make it impossible for a
worker to come into contact
with an uncontrolled energy
source.
The fi rst step in designing
a lockout procedure is to
identify all sources of energy
that affect the work.
Second, action must be taken
to neutralize, redirect or stop
the energy from performing
its normal function before
workers enter the area to
make adjustments or perform
maintenance.
The third step is to verify that
a zero energy state has been
achieved. This means that
there is no energy available
to cause a hazard.
The fi nal step is to physically
prevent the accidental re-
energizing of the system
until the work is completed
and every worker is in a safe
place.
This last step often involves
placing padlocks on
equipment controls, which
is the origin of the “lockout”
term. For example, fi ve
workers might be involved in
a maintenance procedure.
machine by springs or
counterweights. The term
zero energy state means that
all of these energy sources
have been controlled.
Lockout Policy
Every workplace where
workers could come into
contact with energy sources
should have written safe work
procedures that implement a
lock-out policy.
In some cases, job hazard
analysis will be required.
Training programs need to be
designed. Responsibility for
specifi c lock-out procedures
must be assigned to
individuals by the employer.
The exact procedures
involved in implementing
a lock-out will depend on
the circumstances of the
individual workplace. These
general principles apply in
every situation.
Each of them might have
a color-coded lock. All fi ve
locks could be placed on an
electrical switch, preventing
the power from being turned
back on until all of the workers
have removed their locks.
Zero Energy State
Achieving a zero energy
state is often more complex
than the simple example
given above. Energy sources
are not always obvious.
Equipment is often initially
powered by electricity. But
this “main” energy source
may be converted into other
forms of energy as part of the
operation of the machine. For
example, a device might use
electricity to power a pump,
creating hydraulic pressure
to operate the device. The
hydraulic pressure remains
stored in the system even
when the electricity is turned
off. Gravity and momentum
can be stored in a stationary
CAUTION
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