Lock Out/Tag Out Procedures for Graphic Procedures

For larger equipment, OSHA allows an exception to the procedural requirements when all of the following conditions are met:

• There is no danger to people from stored, residual, or re-accumulated energy after the equipment is shut down.

• The equipment has only a single energy source, which can be readily identified and isolated.

• The isolation and locking out of that energy source will completely de-energize and deactivate the equipment.

• A single lockout device will achieve a locked-out condition.

• The equipment is isolated from the energy source and locked out during servicing or maintenance.

• The lockout device remains under the exclusive control of the authorized employee who is performing the servicing or maintenance.

• Servicing or maintenance does not create hazards for other employees.

• The employer, in utilizing this exception, has had no accidents in the past involving the unexpected activation or re-energization of the equipment during servicing or maintenance.

Each employee is required to comply with the restrictions placed on them by this procedure. Specifically:

• Authorized employees are required to perform the lockout or tagout in accordance with this procedure, and to remove their lock(s) or tag(s) at the end of the service or maintenance, as required by the procedure.

• Affected and other employees, upon observing that a machine or piece of equipment is locked out, must not attempt to start, energize, or use that machine or equipment, or attempt to defeat or remove the lock(s) or tag(s).

• Violation of these rules will result in disciplinary action, which may include immediate termination of employment.

These steps must be followed by authorized employees to create a locked-out or tagged-out condition.

• Notify all affected employees that service or maintenance is required on the equipment and that the equipment must be shut down and locked out to perform the necessary operations.

• Identify the type(s) and magnitude(s) of the energy that the machine or equipment uses, understand the hazard(s) of that energy, and identify the method(s) that will be used to control that energy.

• If the machine or equipment is operating, shut it down by the normal stopping procedure (press the “stop” button, etc.).

• Operate the energy-isolating device(s) so that the machine or equipment is isolated from its energy source(s) (move the electrical power switch to its “open” position, close the supply valve, etc.).

• Apply your assigned individual lockout/tagout device(s) to each energy-isolating device, holding the isolating device(s) in the disconnected, inactive, or safe position.

• Dissipate (“bleed off”) or restraint (“block”) any stored or residual energy (such as that in capacitors, springs, elevated machine parts, rotating flywheels, hydraulic or pneumatic systems, etc.) by appropriate methods (such as grounding, repositioning, opening release valves, etc.).

• Confirm that the equipment is completely disconnected from its energy source(s). First, check that no employees are exposed; then, verify the isolation of the equipment by operating the normal operating control(s), or by testing to make certain the equipment will not operate. Return all operating control(s) to their neutral or “off” positions after verifying the isolation of the equipment.

• The machine or equipment is now locked out. Service or maintenance may begin.

These steps must be followed by authorized employees when the servicing or maintenance is completed, and the equipment is ready to return to normal operation.

• Check the equipment and its immediate area to ensure that nonessential items, tools, and parts have been removed and that the equipment components are operationally intact.

• Check the work area to ensure that all employees have been safely positioned or removed from the area.

• Verify that all controls are in their neutral or “off” positions.

• Remove your assigned individual lockout or tagout device(s), and reenergize the equipment. Some forms of blocking may require reenergization of the equipment before safe removal.

• Notify affected employees that the servicing or maintenance is completed and the machine or equipment is ready for use.