LOTO - More Than A Lock

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Chapter : Lockout Tagout (LOTO)

LOTO - More Than A Lock


Lockout/Tagout is more than just putting a yellow lock on the main electrical disconnect to a machine or part of a machine. 

 

Section 1:- 

 

There are Seven important steps you must do when putting Lockout/Tagout in place. "SEVEN STEPS FOR SHUTDOWN"

• NOTIFY – Notify all affected employees that you are going to be conducting a lockout/tagout.
• PREPARE – Before you begin, be sure you know all the types of energy involved, hazards presented by energy, and how to control the energy.
• SHUTDOWN – Turn off machine or equipment.
• ISOLATE - Isolate machine or equipment from its energy source(s). (For example, turn off main circuit breaker.)
• LOCKOUT – apply your lock. Be sure that it holds the isolating device in the “off” or “safe” position.
• RELEASE - Release stored energy. Relieve, disconnect, restrain, block, or otherwise ensure, that all energy sources – electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, compressed, etc. – are de-energized.
• VERIFY – Try the on-off switch or other controls to be sure the machine won’t start. Return the switch to the “off” position.

Section 2 :- 

 

There are 3 very important steps you must do when removing a machine from a Lockout/Tagout state. "THREE STEPS FOR RESTART"

1. INSPECT – inspect the equipment to be sure that:

• All tools and other materials are remove. 
• Machine is fully reassembled 
• Guards and other safety devices are reinstalled 

2. NOTIFY – Be sure that:

• All employees are safely positioned. 
• All affected employees are notified of the restart 

3. REMOVE – Remove lockout devices:

• Remember that only the person who put the lock on may remove it. 

Section 3 :-  

 
Prior to servicing that requires Lockout/Tagout you must evaluate the potential energy that could be released while working in that area or on a specific device. There are several types of energy:

• Electrical energy to operate the device. 
• Pneumatic energy or commonly known as air that controls various devices.
• Steam that heats various devices. 
• Natural Gas that is used in compustion devices 
• Water that may be used to cool devices 
• Hydraulics that may be used to control devices
• Gravity that may play a part in something lifted off the ground.
• Thermal energy that may cause things to remain hot after the source has been turned off.
• As OS&H states in their standard, the purpose of LOTO is to prevent the “unexpected" energization or start up of the machines or equipment, or release of stored energy could cause injury to employees.

Depending on the task you are performing you need to evaluate and isolate the systems and sources of energy that could cause injury

Section 4:-  

 

Various energy sources and devices have different methods for ensuring the energy is isolated.

• For electrical cabinets, in most case it is just a matter of placing a lock on the built-in hasp to the disconnect. However, other energy sources may require the use of additional lockout devices to accomplish the task.
• Devices available to lockout different types of valves and the like. For gate valves similar to your home’s outside water hose valve, there are covers that encase the entire handle to prevent anyone from turning it.
• For ball valves that do not have a place for a lock, there are devices built that will hold it in the off position (either parallel or perpendicular to the pipe) and can be locked in place.
• For larger valves for large gas pipes we have lockable bags where the handle can be removed after being shut off and placed inside the bag and locked in place.
• For pneumatic (air) quick disconnect hoses there is a device we have that the male end of the coupling goes into and gets locked into this device with a padlock.
• There are numerous devices available for very specific needs and applications. 
• If you are in a situation where you are unsure how to lockout a specific energy source check with competent person for the availability of suitable LOTO.