General Procedures for Machines and Equipment LOTO Procedures

When the authorized employee who applied the lockout devices and associated tags is not available to remove them, the devices may be removed by the authorized employee's supervisor in accordance with the process described below:

• The authorized employee's supervisor must verify that the authorized employee who applied the lockout device(s) and associated tag(s) is not on duty and that their work is no longer in progress by taking all reasonable efforts to contact the authorized employee to inform him/her that the devices need to be removed.

• An authorized employee/supervisor returns the equipment to service and notifies the affected employees that service or maintenance is completed and the equipment is ready for use.

• When the employee returns to work, the supervisor notifies him/her that their lock(s) and tag(s) were removed.

• If employee is present but has lost key to lock, lock may be removed by cutting the lock

Protective Materials and Hardware

• Locks and tags used for lockout/tagout must be easily recognizable as locks or tags used for lockout/tagout purposes.

• Locks must be red in color and of the same shape, or size (uniquely identifiable), this lock style must only be used for lock out purposes.

• Tags should be plastic; red, white, and black in color; and labeled with the words “Danger, Do Not Operate,” or equivalent.

• Supervisors are responsible for providing authorized employees under their supervision with locks and tags and any special chains, wedges, key blocks, adapter pins, self-locking fasteners, or other hardware required for isolating, securing, or blocking equipment from energy sources.

• These materials must be of durable construction and capable of withstanding the conditions in which they are placed.

• Locks must only be used for lock out purposes and not for any other purpose i.e. locker or tool box.

Lockable Energy-Isolating Device Installation

• Whenever possible, equipment that is not capable of receiving a lockout device should be retrofitted to accommodate a lock.

• Newly purchased equipment must be capable of accommodating a lockout device.

Authorized Employees and their Supervisors

• Upon request, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) will provide or arrange for Lockout/Tagout training to include information on the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means available for energy isolation and control.

• The training will cover the requirements of the CU Lockout/Tagout Program. Supervisors must supplement this general training with equipment-specific training for authorized employees under their direction.

Equipment Specific Lockout/Tagout Training

• Supervisors are responsible for developing and/or approving equipment-specific lockout/tagout procedures, as well as associated employee training.

• Equipmentspecific training can be accomplished by presenting applicable written procedures to authorized employees, assuring that they understand the requirements of the procedure, and observing correct performance of the procedure(s).

Affected Employees

• Training for affected employees is accomplished in two ways: 1) those employees who participate in EHS Core Training are informed of the CU lockout/tagout program, and instructed that they must never attempt to restart equipment that is locked out or tagged out and to not tamper with locks, tags or lock out devices

• Prior to initiating service and the lockout/tagout procedures, authorized employees must inform affected employees of their activities and that they are not to restart the equipment, remove tags or locks, or otherwise engage in any equipment-related activity until the service is complete and they are so notified by the authorized employee.

Retraining is required when:

• There is a change in task assignment that involves use of different LO/TO procedures than for which the authorized employee has been previously trained;

• There is a change in the machine, equipment or processes that presents new hazards;

• There is a change in the energy control procedures;

• The supervisor has reason to believe or determines through a periodic inspection or observation that an authorized employee has deviated from or lacks sufficient knowledge of established procedures.

Periodic Review

• Supervisors of authorized employees must annually review (prior to use of a newly-developed or revised written procedure and annually thereafter) written procedures and observe implementation of the procedures by each authorized employee.

• Supervisors may delegate review authority to another authorized employee other than the one using the specific procedure, but the supervisor remains accountable for the outcome of the review.

• Reviews must be documented.

• The Energy Control Procedure Review form in Appendix C can be used to document procedure reviews.

• The supervisor or department should maintain records of the most recent review of each machine/equipment.

Training

• EHS will maintain training records of general LO/TO training, if training is conducted by our office.

• If general training is obtained elsewhere, supervisors or departments are responsible for maintaining general training records

• Supervisors or departments must maintain equipment-specific training records.

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)

• Develop, review, and update the CU Lockout/Tagout Program.

• Provide or arrange for general Lockout/Tagout training, upon request.

• Provide technical guidance, upon request.

• Periodically audit program to ensure compliance (no less than annually).

Department Heads/Chairs

• Support implementation of all aspects of the LO/TO program.

• Provide the resources necessary for implementing the LO/TO program.

• Ensure that outside contractors implement a LO/TO program while conducting relevant work in the department.

Supervisors of Authorized Employees

• Ensure full implementation and compliance with the CU LO/TO program within their area of supervision.

• Complete annual audits/reviews of each employee performing a lock out, this task may be delegated to another authorized employee.

• Participate in LO/TO training.

• Ensure that all authorized employees under their supervision participate in general LO/TO training.

• Provide authorized employees with equipment-specific, written LO/TO procedures and training; maintain associated records.

• Review and approve all equipment-specific LO/TO written procedures before use and annually thereafter; maintain associated records.

• Provide authorized employees with the necessary LO/TO equipment, such as locks and tags, chains, wedges, blank flanges, key blocks, adapter pins, selflocking fasteners, or other hardware as required by the written procedure for isolating, securing, blocking, or dissipating energy sources on a specific piece of equipment.

• Remove lockout/tagout devices of employees under their supervision when necessary.

• Investigate and report any lockout/tagout accidents or near misses to EHS.

• Coordinate implementation of supplemental LO/TO procedures, such as group LO/TO, contractor CU LO/TO, shift or personnel changes, and removal of another employee’s lock/tag.

Authorized Employees

• Participate in LO/TO training and retraining, as required.

• Notify affected employees of LO/TO prior to servicing and upon completion of service on covered equipment.

• Perform general and supplemental LO/TO procedures in accordance with CU’s LO/TO program; adhere to supervisor-provided, equipment-specific LO/TO procedures.

• As instructed by a qualified supervisor, coordinate with other authorized employees during group LO/TO, contractor/MSU LO/TO, and shift or personnel changes.

• Report any LO/TO accidents or near-misses to their supervisor.

Affected Employees

• Never remove a lock or tag, or otherwise energize or operate any controls on a machine that has been locked or tagged out.

• Adhere to all instructions provided by authorized employees or their supervisors with regard to LO/TO procedures.

• Do not conduct any maintenance or service activities requiring the use of LO/TO procedures without first being designated as an authorized employee, participating in applicable training, and adhering to all provisions of the CU LO/TO program.

• Report LO/TO accidents or near-misses to their supervisor.

Facilities Management Department

• Ensure that outside contractors hired by Project Mangers implement a LO/TO program while conducting work at CU.

Cord/Plug Equipment

• Work on an electrical cord and/or plug-connected equipment is exempt if exposure to the hazards of unexpected energization or start up of the equipment is controlled by unplugging the equipment from the energy source, and if the plug is under the exclusive control of the employee performing the service or maintenance activity.

• Pneumatic tools may also fall into this category provided that they can be completely isolated from their energy source and bled of stored energy.

Hot tap operations performed on pressurized transmission or distribution systems for gas, steam, water, or petroleum products are exempt, provided that the supervisor can demonstrate:

• Continuity of service is essential.

• Shutdown of the system is impractical.

• Documented procedures are reviewed and approved by EHS prior to initiating the work.

Grain Bins

• Emptying of flat-bottom, farm-style, grain bins is exempt, provided that no body part comes in contact with the sweep auger and all fans are guarded.

Ignition Key Control

• Motorized equipment (automobile, tractor, mowers, forklift, etc.) is exempt during repair or service, provided that the operator has the only key on their body the engine is shut-off, the brake is set, and a tag is attached to the steering wheel.

• If energization is possible even with the key removed, the negative battery cable must also be disconnected prior to commencing service or maintenance work.

• Where applicable, motorized equipment must also be isolated from other hazardous energy sources (i.e., hydraulic oil pressure, mechanical, blocking of equipment to prevent equipment from falling, etc.).

Other

• Other exceptions may be applicable to specific equipment. EHS will, upon request, review specific equipment for applicability of exclusions.