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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