Lightning energy in its
raw display of power. Lightning strikes can be as
powerful as 1 million volts and reach temperatures of 50,000 degrees
it can't be controlled and you never know where it will strike
but thats not the case when it comes to the energy sources you
work with. These energy sources may be in various forms
but they can be controlled. Think about it like catching
lightning in a bottle. Raw power, raw energy.
Captured and controlled for the moment by a lock and key.
OSHA
created the lock out tag out standard to protect the
employees from the unexpected start up or release store energy from equipment.
That could harm a worker while performing service.
Employers must have a written step by step energy control plan
that follows the OSHA standard employees need to be familiar with
and understand the lock out tag out plan
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We usually think of
electricity when we hear the words lock out tag out
Electrical energy is present in power transmission lines, circuit breakers, motors
and store electrical energy, There are other types of energy used by
in the workplace besides electricity. Hydraulic energy is
fluid under pressure. Lift trucks are often run by hydraulic energy.
Numatic energy is air under pressure. Nail guns
use this type of engery. Pressurized liquids and gasses
including steam and chemicals are energy sources present in pipes
supply lines and storage tanks. Many machines use combined
energy types. For example, some hydraulic systems use electic
motors to run the pumps that create the hydraulic energy. The
lock out tag out standard applies to all of these types of energy as well
as any well as any other hazardous energy source that can cause bodily harm
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What do lock out and tag out mean? Both are procedures used
to prevent hazardous energy from injuring workers. For lock out
a lock is put on a disconnect switch, circuit breaker, valve
handle or other energy isolating device in the off position.
The lock commonly use for lock out is a standard lock with key.
However a combination lock is acceptable as well.
For tag out a written warning is placed in the lock out area
of the equipment or machine. Tags do not provide the physical
restrictions of a lock. The OSHA standard allows a tag in the
place of a lock only if the tag out provides the equal protection of a
lock out. Tags must be made so that if they are exposed
to liquids or acids they can still be read. Tags must have
warning on them that has the same wording and look in order to make them easier
to recognize. Tags must be attached securely so that
they can't accidentally fall off. All locks and tags
must be consistent by color, shape or size. OSHA
considers using a lock safer than just using a tag. And most companies
require both lock out and tag out. If only
tags are used, extra steps must be taken to prevent the energizing of
machinery. Such as removing a valve handle or blocking a controller.
Employees should be trained in the limitations of the tag out
system. It is very important to obey the warnings on tags
Especially since they will not keep you from turning power on.
Your employer will provide all lock out tag out materials
needed. These items must be long lasted and not easily
removed. Each lock and tag should have some way to identify
who it belongs to. Each person may be issued a lock
or series of locks. Never lend it to a coworker.
Devices used for lock out tag out should only be used for that purpose.
And should never be used for anything else.
Applying or removing locks and tags can only be done by authorized
employees. Never remove someone else lock or tag.
When working with outside contractors learn their method
of lock out tag out as well. Remember using a locjk
or tag is a big responsibly. Don't take it lightly.
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According to OSHA's lock out tag out standard whenever performing service
or maintenance on any machine where unexpected start up or the release
of stored energy could cause injury. Lock out tag out procedure
must be followed. Service and maintenance activities require
lock out tag out if the employee is required to remove
or by pass a guard or safety device or place any
part of his or her body into a machine process point of operation
or associated danger zone. Minor adjustments that take
place during or part of normal production are not part of
the standard. Some times equipment maybe de-energized
simply by unplugging it. Cords and plugs are exempt
from lock out tag out if energy is completely removed
by unplugging the source and the plug must be under the exclusive
control of the person working on the equipment. The use of
a plug lock prevents it from being put into a socket and is a good option.
Who are authorized and effected employees?
An authorized employee is the one who physically locks and tags out
a machine in order to perform service.
And effected employee is someone who does not actually perform certain
service. But may operate the machinery or work in the area
where the service will be performed.
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There are 6 steps to proper lock out
tag out. Prepare for shut down, shut down
isolate energy source apply lock out tag out device
release stored energy and verify.
When preparing to shut down equipment answer
these questions. How many energy sources does the machine have?
And how do I control these sources of energy to completely disable them?
Before working on any machinery or equipment
be familiar how it works and how it relieves and releases energy
a written procedure or check list that details the shut
down of the equipment should be available.
Turn off the equipment according to procedure. This may involve
turning the switch to off or a more complicated method. Ask
a supervisor if you are unsure.
Isolating the equipment means finding and
isolating any energy source that feeds it this includes switching
circuit breakers off tracing lines or pipes.
Throwing disconnects and capping any secondary sources of energy.
Locks and or
tags must be attached to all energy isolating equipment valves or switches.
To hold them in the off or safe postion. Any
thing that could restore the flow of energy must be locked out.
The use of both locks and tags is preferred tags
provide that locks by itself cannot.
Such as the type of work being done. The estimated work time. And the authorized
person who is performing the work. A tag also helps clear
and identify that the machine has been locked out. If only
the tag out procedure is used the tag should be place where the lock would go
If working on a piece of equipment that can't be locked out
place a tags as close to the energy isolating device as possible.
OSHA now requires any new machinery to come with a
energy isolating device that can be locked. OSHA also requires
that older equipment that is modified or renovated must outfitted
for lock out. So far we have talked about only one person
locking out a piece of equipment but in reality there may be times
when several people need to lock out a piece of equipment
your employer has a written procedure detailing how to do this. Generally
in mulitple lock outs OSHA allows one authorized person to lock out
each energy source the key to each lock would be place in the lock box
that all other authorized person who will be working on the equipment
lock the lock box shut with their personal locks no one
can get to the keys to unlock the equipment energy sources until all
personal have removed their box from the box. This method ensures
that each person is protected.
True or False once locks and tags are
place on energy sources the worker is safe. The answer is
sometimes true and some times false. What makes the difference?
Some equipment stores up energy and that is a hazard to ensure protection
relieve disconnect or restrain any hazardous energy that could be present.
Check that all moving parts have stopped
relieved trapped pressure like pipe blanches and block or support
elevated equipment. If it possible that energy might still build
up. Check it often while working.
Or until the hazard no longer exists.
Check the steps make sure every energy source
is shut down, blocked off, controlled and locked or tagged
out. Tell everyone in the lock out area that the equipment will be
tested to verify that all energy sources have been controlled.
Make sure that everyone is away from the area. Press all start buttons
pull all start levers and all other activating control
that might restore power to the machine. This includes checking
remote computer controls. After check all power sources
make sure to return them to the off position. This is very important
as it prevents the equipment from starting by itself when energy is restored.
After verifying that all energy sources are controlled
it is safe to begin work on the equipment. Now lets quickly
review the 6 steps for shutting down and securing energy sources.
Step 1 prepare for shut down. Step 2
Shut down. Step 3 Isolate Energy source
Step 4 apply lock out tag out devices
Step 5 release stored energy Step 6
Verify
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When the work is complete it is time to safely
remove lock out tag out tag out devices and re-energize the equipment.
The OSHA standard has 3 steps that cover this procedure
Step 1 is to restore the work area to operating conditions.
This means ensuring that all tools have been removed from the work area.
And double checking that all equipment components are in place and in working
order. Machines must be operationally in tact
it is also important to replace safety features such as machine guards
and close any access panels that we open.
Before removing any locks or tags all effected employees
must be told that lock out tag out devices are going to be removed and
employees must be informed after all lock out tag devices
have been removed. This can be done by gathering every body together or by
a checklist of effect employees.
Before removing any devices and before re-energizing equipment make sure
all employees are safely out of the operating area.
After notifying everyone that lock out tag out devices will
be removed begin taking locks and tags off
each device must be removed by the person who put it on if the person
who placed the device on the equipment is not present do not
remove it yourself. A written energy control procedure will list
certain steps to follow for this situation. When re energizing
the equipment follow the standard procedures from time to time check
the equipment and the work area to make sure it is still safe.
Finally if there is a machine that is off but has
no lock or tag on it do not assume that it is safe to turn on
double check before restoring power to any machine
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The OSHA
Lock out tag out standard requires the employer to inspect the energy
control program each year. It describes each machines energy source
and the company's procedure for shut down lock out tag out and
restarting equipment. During the inspection the inspector will ask each
authorized their responsibilities under this energy control
program. If the inspector has reason to believe that an employee does not
have satisfactory knowledge of procedure that employee will be retrained
otherwise retraining is only required whenever
there is a change in job assignment a change in machines or
processes where a new hazard is present or when there is a change procedures.
Lock out tag out is such an important safety tool that many
employers retrain every year.
Make sure to follow the six steps of lock out tag out prepare
apply lock out tag out devices release stored energy
and verify. When re-energizing the equipment
follow the three steps restore inform remove
skipping any of these steps is not worth
the risk. Can lightning be caught in a bottle?
At work it can! Controlling the energy source is critical to every
ones safety
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