11 - CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS ENERGY SOURCES (LOCKOUT/TAGOUT)

 

Section Contents

11.1 PURPOSE
11.2 SCOPE
11.3 BACKGROUND
11.4 DEFINITIONS
11.5 RESPONSIBILITIES
11.6 TRAINING
11.7 REQUIREMENTS FOR LOCKOUT/TAGOUT DEVICES
11.8 LOCKOUT/TAGOUT PROCEDURE
11.9 GROUP LOCKOUTS/TAGOUTS
11.10 SHIFT CHANGE

 

11.1

PURPOSE

This program provides a standard operating procedure to control hazardous energy sources for the servicing and maintenance of equipment where unexpected energization or start-up could harm employees.

11.2

SCOPE

This program applies to all University employees who service and maintain equipment. Contractors who do work for Catholic University must have their own lockout/tagout program and provide their own locks and tags to ensure compliance with the OSHA standard and the University Contractor Safety Guide.

11.3

BACKGROUND

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under 29 CFR 1910.147 and 1910.333 regulates the servicing and maintenance of equipment where unexpected energization or start-up of the equipment could harm employees. To control the unexpected energization of equipment, energy sources must be locked out and tagged out prior to servicing and maintenance.
Examples of common energy sources include:
  • Electrical
  • Mechanical
  • Gravity
  • Hydraulic
  • Fluid & Gases
  • Thermal
  • Pneumatic
  • Water under pressure
Examples of the type of work to which this standard applies may include:
  • Repairs
  • Renovation
  • Replacement of parts
  • Adjustments
  • Removal or bypassing of equipment guard(s) during servicing.

11.4

DEFINITIONS

Affected Employee: A staff, student or faculty member whose job requires the operation of equipment subject to lockout/tagout. Someone who works in an area where lockout/tagout is used.

Authorized Employee: A staff, student or faculty member who physically locks or tags out equipment for servicing or maintenance work. 

Energized: Connected to an energy source or containing residual or stored energy.

Energy Source: Any source of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other energy.

Lockout: Process of blocking the flow of energy from a power source to a piece of equipment and keeping it blocked out by means of a lockout device.

Lockout Device: Lock, block, or chain which keeps a valve, disconnect switch, or lever in the off or closed position. Lockout locks are provided by your department. Use them only for lockout/tagout purposes.

Tagout: The placement of a tagout device on a power source. The tag acts as a warning not to restore energy; it does not serve as a physical restraint.

Tagout Device: A prominent warning device, such as a tag and a means of attachment, which can be securely fastened to a power source. The tag must clearly state DO NOT OPERATE or another similar message.

11.5

RESPONSIBILITIES

Environmental Health & Safety (EHS):
  • Maintain the written program.
  • Audit the program annually and update as necessary.
  • Facilitate training to affected departments upon request.  Such training may target affected employees and may include a review of the requirements of this written program.
     
Department Directors and Managers:
  • Ensure compliance with all aspects of the lockout/tagout program.
  • Identify affected and authorized employees.
  • Ensure that all employees working with machines or equipment which contain hazardous energy sources receive detailed training on all lockout/tagout procedures - See section 11.6.
  • Communicate the University lockout/tagout program and associated requirements posted in the Contractor Safety Guide to potential contractors. 
     
Employees:
  • Comply with all aspects of the lockout/tagout program.
  • Receive training as appropriate in lockout/tagout procedures and work safely.

11.6

    • TRAINING
  •  
      All authorized employees must be trained in the following:
  •  
      • Recognition of hazardous energy sources,
      • Specific energy sources within the workplace, and
      • How to isolate and control this energy.
  •  
      Training for authorized employees shall be provided by departmental personnel with sufficient electrical knowledge and familiarity with the operation and maintenance of such equipment.  For example, this may include:
  •  
    • Master electricians for Facilities Maintenance and Operations and Power Plant staff.
    • Senior melter supervisors for Vitrous State Laboratory staff.
       
        All affected employees must be trained in the following:
    • Purpose and use of this lockout/tagout program and
    • The importance of not restarting locked out or tagged out eqiupment.           

       Retraining is necessary when there is a change in procedures, equipment, job duties or other similar factor.

        Department directors/managers will document and maintain a file of all trained personnel listing the                    employee name and date of training.

11.7

REQUIREMENTS FOR LOCKOUT/TAGOUT DEVICES

A lockout device (such as a padlock) used in lockout procedures can work with a key or with a combination. The lockout device must meet the following requirements:
  • Durable enough for the heat, cold, humidity, and/or corrosiveness in the area where it's used, for as long as it's needed.
  • Strong enough so it can't be removed without heavy force or tools like bolt cutters.
  • Used only for lockout procedures.
Tagout devices simply act as a warning not to restore energy; they are not a physical restraint. Tagout devices must meet the following requirements:
  • Strong enough so it won't release with less than 50 pounds of applied force.
  • Attachable by hand.
  • Have a printed warning such as "Danger" or "Do Not Operate".
  • Contain ample space to identify the authorized employee, date and time of application. 
  • Used only for tagout operations.

11.8

LOCKOUT/TAGOUT PROCEDURE

Complete this Lockout/Tagout Procedure form to detail written procedures for specific machines or individual equipment with more than one energy source requiring control prior to service.

 11.9

GROUP LOCKOUTS/TAGOUTS

In cases where more than one person will service or maintenance a piece of equipment or machinery that requires lockout/tagout, a multiple lockout adapter must be used. This device can hold several locks and tags.

Each authorized employee will place his or her lock on the adaptor. Only the person who placed a lock on the device may remove the lock. The only exception allowed would be if a person discontinued working on a job. In this situation the supervisor must remove the lock and tag.

11.10

SHIFT CHANGE

In cases where the next shift of personnel will continue to work on a locked-out piece of equipment, the employee reporting for duty must apply his or her lock and tag first, then the employee who is leaving may remove his or her lock and tag.