Lockout tagout (LOTO)

What is lockout tagout?

Lockout tagout (LOTO) is a safety protocol designed to prevent accidental injuries during equipment service and maintenance. It involves locking a work area and machine with a lock (padlocks, chains, valve clamps, wedges or pins) and tagging it with signs (like safety tags), before shutting off power or removing a component from a machine.

When does lockout tagout occur?

Lockout occurs before any maintenance is done and when an operator removes all power sources from a machine. The operator then applies an approved tag or lock to the machine indicating its status as locked out. The operator may have to remove fuses, disconnect power cords, or do other tasks related to electrical components. Tagout occurs after lockout when the operator installs an approved lock and safety tag on the electrical panel (or other approved control) for the machine. This prevents access to energized parts of the equipment until it’s inspected and returned to service.

How is lockout tagout used?

The lockout tagout procedure is used on equipment that has moving parts, including conveyors, turbines, and compressors. It must be done by someone who is trained in proper lockout procedures.

The following is an example of how lockout tagout procedure would be used:

• A maintenance technician is performing routine maintenance on a piece of equipment. They are removing bolts from a tank lid using an air ratchet wrench. They'd need to use the LOTO system before disassembling anything inside the tank. Opening the tank while the machine is still running would expose oneself and others to potentially hazardous fumes. In order to lock out the equipment, the technician would have to turn off the machines’ power and physically lock its access point. This prevents anyone else from turning it back on. They would then tag the lock with a safety tag that informs others why the machine is offline. From here the technician can open the tank and begin their maintenance work. Locking out the system ensures that it can not turn on and create fumes. Once the maintenance is performed the technician can remove the lock and safety tag, and safely turn the power back on in order to test that the equipment is running properly.

Why is lockout tagout done?

LOTO is completed for two reasons. The first is obvious: It prevents injuries. When you're working on equipment in a hazardous environment and fail to lockout the equipment properly, you could injure yourself and others. OSHA’s standard on the control of hazardous energy outlines the requirements for employers for controlling various forms of energy (electricity, gas, pressurized vapors etc.)

The second reason why LOTO is done has less to do with human safety than it does with safety for property and equipment. If someone were working on an electrical circuit without properly deactivating or isolating the circuit, they might accidentally cause damage to themselves or their surroundings (like overloading outlets or tripping breakers). If machinery and surroundings nearby get damaged, it can be very costly.