We continue to see businesses using many methods to identify their lockout locks, many of which are NOT acceptable to OSHA. 1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(B) states:
Lockout and tagout devices shall be standardized within the facility in at least one of the following criteria: color; shape; or size…
Most businesses use color, and we can have multiple colors in our program; as long as these colors are spelled out in the written program AND communicated in training (including contractor training). OSHA wants ZERO confusion when a worker/contractor walks through the plant and comes across a lockout lock to know that this is a lockout lock.
We also have to identify who placed the lock there (1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(D).