General

     Lockout is the preferred method of isolating machines or equipment from energy sources. To assist employers in developing a procedure which meets the requirements of the standard, however, the following simple procedure is provided for use in both lockout and tagout programs. This procedure may be used when there are a limited number or types of machines or equipment or there is a single power source. For more complex systems supervisors and the Environmental Safety Office will address each procedure as needed.

Purpose

     This procedure program establishes the minimum requirements for the lockout or tagout of energy isolating devices. It shall be used to ensure that the machine or equipment are isolated from all potentially hazardous energy, and locked out or tagged out before employees perform any servicing or maintenance activities where the unexpected energization, start-up or release of stored energy could cause injury.

Responsibility

     Appropriate employees shall be instructed in the safety significance of the lockout (or tagout) procedure. Each new or transferred affected employee and other employees whose work operations are or may by in the area shall be instructed in the purpose and use of the lockout or tagout procedure (Name(s)/Job Title(s) of affected employees and how to notify).

Preparation for Lockout or Tagout

     Make a survey to locate and identify all isolating devices to be certain which switch(s), valve(s) or other energy isolating devices apply to the equipment to be locked or tagged out. More than one energy source (electrical, mechanical, or others) may be involved (Types(s) and Location(s) of energy isolating means).

Sequence of Lockout or Tagout System Procedure

      Notify all affected employees that a lockout or tagout system is going to be utilized and the reason for the lockout or tagout. The authorized employee shall know the type and magnitude of energy that the machine or equipment utilizes and shall understand the hazards thereof. If the machine or equipment is operating, shut it down by the normal stopping procedure ( depress stop button, open toggle switch, etc.) Operate the switch, valve, or other energy isolating device(s) so that the equipment is isolated from its energy sources(s). Stored energy (such as that in springs, elevated machine members, retaining flywheels, hydraulic systems, and air, gas,, steam, or water pressure, etc.) must be dissipated or restrained by methods such as repositioning, blocking, bleeding down, etc. (Type(s) of Stored Energy-methods to dissipate or restrain). Lockout and/or tagout the energy isolating devices with assigned individual lock(s) or tag(s) (Method(s) Selected; i.e., locks, tags, additional safety measures, etc.). After ensuring that no personnel are exposed, and as a check on having disconnected the energy sources, operate the push button or other normal operating controls to make certain the equipment will not operate (Type(s) of Equipment checked to ensure disconnections). CAUTION: Return operating control(s) to "neutral" or "off" position after the test. The equipment is now locked out or tagged out.

Restoring Machines or Equipment to Normal Production operation

     After the servicing and/or maintenance is complete and equipment is ready for normal production operations, check the area around the machine or equipment to ensure that no one is exposed. After all tools have been removed from the machine or equipment, guards have been reinstalled and employees are in the clear, remove all lockout or tagout devices. Operate the energy isolating devices to restore energy to the machine or equipment.

 Procedure Involving More Than One Person

     In the preceding steps, if more than one individual is required to lockout or tagout equipment, each shall place his/her own personal lockout device or tagout device on the energy isolating device(s). When an energy isolating device cannot accept multiple locks or tags, a multiple lockout or tagout device (hasp) may be used. If lockout is used, a single lock may be used to lockout the machine or equipment with the key being placed in a lockout box or cabinet which allows the use of multiple locks to secure it. Each employee will then use his/her own lock to secure the box or cabinet. As each person no longer needs to maintain his or her lockout protection, that person will remove his/her lock from the box or cabinet.

     Facilities Management personnel under the supervision of the Assistant Director of Facilities Management will be authorized for group lockout/tagout operations.

Basic Rules for Using Lockout or Tagout System Procedure

     All equipment shall be locked out or tagged out to protect against accidental or inadvertent operation when such operation could cause injury to personnel. Do not attempt to operate any switch, valve, or other energy isolating device where it is locked or tagged out.

Non-University Contractors

     All Non-University employees working for contractors on University property or in contract for the University must abide with the University's Lockout/Tagout Policy. Written verification as to the contractors policy and implementation of a Lockout/Tagout Program will be supplied to the University upon request.

Training

     Training for all University employees that may have the opportunity to service or repair equipment with hazardous energy will be trained with the following information:

     Introduction Scope, application and purpose Definitions applicable to this policy Affected employees Authorized employees Capable of being locked out Energized Energy isolating device Energy source Hot tap Lockout Lockout device Normal production operations Servicing and/or maintenance Setting up Tagout Tagout device General Information Energy Control Program video presentation handout fact sheet No. OSHA 89-32 Lockout/tagout - possible/not possible Full employee protection Energy control procedure Protective materials and hardware Periodic inspection Training and communication Employee retraining Application of control Release from lockout/tagout Testing or positioning of machines, equipment, or components Outside Personnel (Contractors) Group lockout/tagout Shift or personnel changes Questions/Questionnaire on possible sources of energy that may need lockout/tagout on the campus.

     Appendices This information is not available in HTML format. Please contact the ESO if you need a hardcopy.

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