It’s an internal OSHA term for when an employer chooses to use TagOut (TO) instead of LockOut (LO). The TO has to be “equally effective” as a LO; this “Tag Plus” must be demonstrated to show that the TO is equal to an LO.
This is a pet peeve of mine: DETAILS MATTER in safety procedures and safe work practices. One thing we commonly find is some very generic language in LOTO procedures for how to verify each energy source has been isolated and is at a Zero Energy State (ZES). For example, you’re performing a “periodic inspection,” and
OSHA uses the word “specific” 10 times in its LOTO standard, and yet, the vast majority of the LOTO programs we come across are not even specific to the facility, much less specific in how they define and quantify critical elements. To save you time from looking them all up to prove I’m wrong, here
OSHA 1910.147(d)(5)(ii) is one of the most critical, yet frequently overlooked, requirements of the Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) standard. It moves LOTO from a static, one-time task (“lock it and check it”) to a dynamic process that accounts for the physical reality of residual and regenerative energy. Think about isolating “compressed air” to a machine/equipment and the
Sinopec Yangzi Petrochemical (May 29, 2026): Four workers died during shutdown maintenance at an ethylene plant in China. The flash fire occurred while operations personnel were disassembling a cracking valve. Early investigations point to incomplete emptying and purging of the pipe, which left residual cracking gases (ethylene, propylene, and butadiene) inside. The suspected ignition source
First, I am as guilty as anyone for using these terms interchangeably, but this week I was in a deep discussion on PRCS Isolation and those on the other end of the phone were getting confused as I was using these terms interchangeably. So I am setting the record straight on this topic, as it
Recent technological advancements that employ computer-based controls of hazardous energy (e.g., mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, chemical, and radiation) conflict with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) existing lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) standard. The use of these computer-based controls has become more prevalent as equipment manufacturers modernize their designs to increase productivity. Additionally, National Consensus Standards have evolved, and
We see this all the time, although many folks think it is rare – why I am not sure, as this scenario is 100% why OSHA promulgated the Energy Control Standard in 1989, to PREVENT someone from energizing a machine/equipment while someone is performing servicing/mainteance on it. On Jan. 29, 2026, a worker was tasked
During a maintenance shutdown at a wood pellet plant, three workers employed by a mill machinery service company were working at the mill to clean the burner. The workers were standing at the opening of a burner door when an explosion occurred in the dryer system. The three workers were knocked backward by the force
In a steam plant at a plywood mill, two (2) workers were attempting to replace a leaky nipple and gasket at the end of a condensate header. As they were loosening or removing nuts from the outer flange at the end of the header, one worker was sprayed with steam and condensate (hot water). The
I have been having fun using AI to help me create training images. I love doing LOTO training, and I am always challenged on just how little energy it takes to be “hazardous” and how even 0.1 psig can be lethal. (as shown below)
Establishing a Double Block and Bleed (DB&B) positive isolation is a critical safety protocol when preparing piping and equipment for opening, especially when dealing with Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS). This process ensures that hazardous materials (HAZMAT) are effectively evacuated and isolated to protect workers from accidental releases. Members can download my .ppt file at bottom
