Lockout Tagout

LOTO locks can be keyed alike.  For example, equipment/field locks can all be keyed to a SINGLE key; however, personal/individual locks MUST BE individually keyed (e.g., 1 key – 1 lock).  Before starting work ask yourself this simple but very important question: Do I have EXCLUSIVE/SOLE control of each and every isolation device protecting ME? …...

One of the more popular findings in our LOTO assessments/audits involves the lack of specific procedures for verifying a zero energy state (ZES) for EACH energy source.  The LOTO standard, 1910.147, makes it clear that the energy control procedure must be “specific.”…… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready...

In 2014, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) issued a judgment on an OSHA case, and in the case, they made it clear that “magnitude” matters in lockout/tagout (LOTO).  But for some reason, this piece of data is absent from many machine-specific LOTO procedures and OSHA always takes issue with this oversight.  So…...

We have a machine and this machine has a couple of tasks that have been deemed “minor servicing”.  As we walk by we see a worker in the machine and no LOTO in place so of course we stop and ask about the situation.  We are told the task being done, “XXXXXXXX”, is indeed a…...

Under most circumstances, where servicing or maintenance is to be conducted during only one shift by a small number of persons, the installation of each individual’s LOTO device on each energy isolation device would not be a burdensome procedure. However, when complex equipment is being serviced or maintained, when there are many sources of energy,…...

Anyone who has played sports or even just attended a team sporting event has heard or seen the famous saying: There is no “I” in Team! In our world of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), nothing could be farther from the truth!  There is not an act in occupational safety and health that is more self-serving and selfish…...

Luckily, these kinds of encounters are dwindling, but even mentioning this in 2019 says a lot for the “State of Safety” in the USA. Have you ever encountered a management group where you hoped Dr. Suess would re-write the OSHA LOTO Std?   I mean, they hire us to explain and assist in implementing the basic…...