I put this image together for a friend struggling to demonstrate to their management that we can not discuss LOTO until Machine Guarding is in place. These two topics go hand in hand and trust me; if there are guarding issues, those hazards will be compounded when we attempt to frame up the LOTO program.
Guarding is for the OPERATIONAL safety of the machine/equipment and, if not done well, poses a big, if not bigger, risk to the workers running the machine/equipment. We routinely encounter serious guarding issues while helping clients with their LOTO efforts, and we are almost always told, “Thanks, but we just want help with LOTO.”
Controlling hazardous energy sources (e.g., LOTO) during maintenance and servicing is just as critical but entirely different from guarding.
Just look at the scope/application of OSHA’s 1910.147:
(emphasis by me)