Whenever I do LOTO training I always mention some of the more “interesting” methods used to control hazardous energy and in each class I always get accused of fudging the truth, as “no one can be that stupid”. Well here is a 2013 LOTO citation from OSHA that is proof positive that we still have a ways to go until everyone takes LOTO as seriously as us…
Copied directly from the 2013 OSHA citation:
Shop/Shipping (XXX Furnace) – Employees pasted red tape over the electrical breaker switch(es) and then tucked a tagout device into the 480 volt cabinet yellow electrical panel handle below as a means of lockout/tagout. This lockout means did not provide full employee protection from the energization of furnaces such as, but not limited to: XX2, XXX and XX2 as minor repairs and maintenance were conducted on a routine and weekly basis.
Shop/Shipping (XX7) – Electrical cabinet breaker switches such as, but not limited to, XX4 on Main Panel 4, a 480 volt electrical cabinet, was not secured in the “off” position which to protect shop personnel from potential electrocutions and 2nd or 3rd degree burns from an accidental start-up of the furnaces. Employees lockout the main breakers of the furnaces with red tape to conduct minor repairs and maintenance on a routine and weekly basis.
CLICK HERE for the entire document and all citations from this inspection (Electrical, LOTO, PRCS, Flammable Liquids)