Today’s MSHA Fatality Report made me wonder how many LOTO programs require the SECONDARY SECUREMENT of large objects, even after the power source that normally moves the equipment has been locked out. For example, cooling towers and condenser fan blades.
I have experienced firsthand a piece of equipment two times involved were very large fan blades, and they caused serious injuries when they were caught in the wind and turned. Both times OSHA cited us – neither case was challenged; we fixed our program/procedures and LEARNED from the event. But we see this type of gap often in LOTO programs and training.