Last month, I discussed what a “management system” would look like should we manage our Permit-Required Confined Space entry operations as a “management system” versus a standalone OSHA compliance program. (CLICK HERE for that post)
Today, I want to discuss the same approach but in respect to how we manage another life safety critical practice… The Control of Hazardous Energy is better known as Lockout/Tagout (LOTO). As of this writing, I have written about LOTO 187 times, most of which are on the technical side of developing, implementing, managing, and auditing LOTO programs and procedures. In this article, I want to take a 35,000-foot view of how a an Energy Control Program should be managed by those closest to the action. So here is the outline of what I will be discussing:
1) Written Program
2) Machine/Equipment specific energy control procedures
3) Training
4) Periodic Inspections
5) Auditing
And, of course, I will again use the PLAN→DO→CHECK→ACT model to wrap our heads around this topic.