Lock Out & Tag Out
Code of Federal Regulations number 1910.147 requires that employers establish and follow
a Lock Out & Tag Out procedure and train their employees in that procedure before any
employee can operate, service or maintain any piece of power equipment.
Employers are required to make periodic inspections to see that their Lock Out & Tag Out
procedures are being followed, and they must monitor and update their program on an
ongoing basis. Employees are responsible for seeing that equipment is locked out and
tagged out in accordance with the employer's policy.
A typical Lock Out & Tag Out kit contents are illustrated in the figure below.
Typical Lock Out & Tag Out Kit
What is Lock Out & Tag Out
Lock Out & Tag Out is a procedure that's designed to prevent absolutely the unexpected or
accidental startup of equipment and to alert all workers whenever it is unsafe to operate
any piece of equipment. When used as intended, Lock Out & Tag Out also protects
personnel from energy stored in devices such as springs, accumulators, batteries,
hydraulic systems, etc.
How to Lock Out & Tag Out
• Install one or more locks to hold the master switch lever in the
OFF position.
• If the switch is keyed, turn the key to the OFF position and remove the key.
• Disconnect the batteries.
• Regardless of which lockout method is used, place one or more tags on machine
control panels, access doors and electrical panels.
When is Lock Out & Tag Out required
• Any time anyone is maintaining, repairing, lubricating, or for whatever reason, working
on the equipment.
• When the equipment is broken or for whatever reason, unfit or unsafe to operate
• Whenever the equipment is left unattended.
Safety
42 P/N 12261-319 REVISED: August 2012
Courtesy of Crane.Market