Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and Difference between LOTO or LOTOTO

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Chapter : Lockout Tagout (LOTO)

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and Its Importance for Safety  

Lockout/Tagout

When it comes to lockout procedures, a shortcut in the process can literally mean the difference between life and death. Long considered an important part of the safety program, lockout procedures protect not only the employees working on a piece of equipment, but also co-workers and contractors working onsite.

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) is a safety procedure used to ensure that dangerous machines are properly shut Off and not started up again before the completion of maintenance or repair work.

Lockout refers to the specific steps taken to safeguard employees from unexpected startup of machinery and equipment or the release of hazardous energy during setup, service, or repair. To lock out equipment, a lock is placed on the energy source, control, or isolating device.

Importance of LOTO

• Prevents Accidents:LOTO prevents accidental machine startups, which can cause severe injuries or even fatalities.
• Protects Workers: Ensures that workers are safe from electrical, mechanical, and other energy hazards while performing maintenance tasks.

Usage of LOTO at Work

Lockout: Involves placing a lock on the energy-isolating device to ensure that the machine cannot be turned on. 

Tagout: Involves attaching a tag to the locked device, warning others not to turn on the machine.  

Steps for Effective LOTO

• Identify Energy Sources: Find all energy sources associated with the machinery.
• Shut Down Equipment: Turn off the machinery using the standard shutdown procedure.
• Isolate Energy Sources: Disconnect or isolate the energy sources to prevent the machine from restarting.
• Apply Locks and Tags: Place locks and tags on the energy-isolating devices.
• Verify Isolation: Ensure that the machine is properly isolated and cannot be restarted.
• Perform Maintenance: Carry out the maintenance or repair work.
• Remove Locks and Tags: Once work is completed, remove the locks and tags, and re-energize the machine.

Benefits Of LOTO:

• Reduces Injuries: Significantly lowers the risk of injuries from accidental machine startups.
• Enhances Workplace Safety: Creates a safer working environment for everyone.
• Increases Awareness: Educates workers about potential hazards and safe practices.
• Promotes Safety Culture: Encourages a culture of safety and responsibility in the workplace.

By following LOTO procedures, companies can protect their workers, comply with safety regulations, and create a safer working environment.

Difference between LOTO or LOTOTO 

Lock out Tag out (LOTO) and Lock out Tag out Try Out (LOTOTO) are both safety procedures used in workplaces to prevent accidents and injuries by ensuring that machinery and equipment are properly shut down and locked out before maintenance work is performed. While both procedures aim to enhance safety in the workplace, there are key differences between LOTO and LOTOTO that can impact the effectiveness of the safety measures.

LOTO is a safety procedure that involves shutting off the power supply to machinery and equipment, locking it with a padlock, and attaching a tag that warns others not to start or operate the equipment. This prevents accidental startup Of machines during maintenance work and helps ensure the safety Of workers. LOTO is widely used in many industries to protect workers from hazards such as electrocution, entanglement, and crushing injuries.

On the other hand. LOTOTO is a more stringent safety procedure that requires an additional step known as a "Try Out After equipment has been locked out and tagged out. a designated person must attempt to restart the machinery to verify that it is indeed isolated from the power source. This extra step adds another layer of protection by confirming that the equipment is safe to work on and reduces the risk of accidents caused by incomplete isolation.

While LOTO is effective in preventing accidents, LOTOTO provides an added level of assurance that the equipment is truly secure before maintenance work begins. By conducting a Try Out, maintenance workers can be confident that the machinery has been properly isolated and that there is no risk of unexpected energization. This helps to further reduce the likelihood of accidents and ensures the safety of workers in hazardous environments.

In conclusion, both LOTO and LOTOTO are important safety procedures that are designed to protect workers from accidents and injuries in the workplace. While LOTO is widely used and effective in many industries, LOTOTO offers an additional layer of protection by requiring a Try Out to verify the isolation of equipment. By implementing these safety procedures in the workplace, employers can create a safer work environment and prevent unnecessary harm to their employees.

Although specific lockout procedures vary by type of equipment used, below are basic guidelines

employees should be aware of:

• Inform all affected personnel of the planned lockout. A sudden loss of power could be dangerous if workers are not aware of the situation and are still working on the machinery.
• Identify all potential energy sources. A simple disconnect of the main power switch is not sufficient, as other types of energy may exist, such as hydraulic, electric, thermal, radioactive, pneumatic, gravity, and chemical energy. It is also important to drain, release, or block any stored energy.
• Correctly isolate energy isolating devices. To achieve proper equipment isolation, an energy isolating device – such as a circuit breaker, disconnect switch, or gate valve – must be found, tagged, and locked out in the closed position.
• Attach locks along with a warning tag indicating the date, purpose, and length of the lockout and who installed the lock. If there are several employees working on a job, each worker should attach his or her own lock to a multiple-locking device.
• Use uniquely keyed locks that come with only one key to ensure that employees cannot remove each other’s locks.
• After the lockout procedures have been performed, test the operation of the machinery to ensure that all energy sources have been secured.
• Return locked-out equipment to service only after all established start-up procedures have been followed. Special attention should be given to make sure all obstructions have been cleared, machine safeguards have been replaced, locks have been removed (in the correct order), and all workers have been notified and are free of the area.