Tips to Successfully Manage your Lockout Tagout Program Implementation

by Kristen White Blogger If you are considering a LOTO program, it must be well-equipped to handle the hazards employees face when maintaining and servicing machinery. If the machine is not shut down correctly, it could start at any time, and release unexpected energy that can cause fatal injuries to workers. Consider these 5 points to ensure your LOTO program is highly effective and avoids common failures:

1. Analyse How the Program Fits in The Overall Safety of the Workplace
A professional Lockout Tagout program cannot exist in isolation. Workers who are performing their jobs around machinery are at risks from other hazards as well. When they are shutting down existing machinery, they should also need protection from confined space hazards, unguarded machinery hazards, pipe breaking hazards and process safety hazards.

 2. Identify the Hazardous Energy Sources Around the Entire Premises
A common mistake in many LOTO programs is to only identify the main power source for the machinery but neglecting the other sources that can cause a sudden release of energy or unexpected movement of the machine. Think about all other energy sources while forming your LOTO program, including mechanical, hydraulic, pneumonic, chemical, thermal and stored energy.

3. Controlling the Energy Sources that Can Cause Danger
There must be instructions in the written LOTO procedures so that workers are able to systematically de-energize every energy source. The steam, air, and hydraulic lines can be de-energized by bleeding, draining and cleaning out, ensuring that no pressure is left in the lines or reservoir tanks. Pipes can be blinded, covered with a metal disc to ensure no substance passes through them if accidentally activated. Electrical circuits must be checked to ensure that the current does not start in the off position by mistake.

4. Verifying the Lockout
Once the system is in place and all equipment is shut down and de-energized with the locks, tags, and security devices, workers must check that the program has been effective and the machine won’t start unexpectedly. All workers must be cleared from the danger zone and the program must be verified by attempting to start the equipment. Later, make sure that all controls are back in the off or de-energized position.

5. Training Workers and Reviewing the Program
These are the most vital steps in the implantation of professional Lockout Tagout programs. Workers who will be part of the LOTO program need to be well-trained with the knowledge and skills required to safely operate, use, and remove the energy-isolating devices. You might think that once you put up a LOTO program, you are done. However, just like any system or machinery, it also requires an annual inspection, timely maintenance, and review to check whether it is fulfilling its need.

It is easy to start a LOTO program in your company using the OSHA standards and guidelines or taking assistance from a professional company to help you set up. Ensure you write down the procedures, prepare a summary like a blueprint and train employees with the new standards. You can also grow and modify the plans when your company grows or evolves, ensuring flexibility in the system.

Resource Box:  If you are looking for Lockout Tagout Powerpoint Presentation, the author of this article recommends ilockitout.

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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