Importance of Lockout Tagout

LOTO is a very serious safety practice for every organization that aims to provide protection to its employees. It is designed to help improve safety in a facility. When implemented correctly, it helps to dramatically reduce the risk when working in or around machinery. Equipment and machinery identified for LOTO are capable of unexpected start-ups, which may result in the release of hazardous energy.

 

Can you imagine how dangerous it would be to simply leave hazardous machines or equipment out on the industrial work floor with just a verbal warning to employees not to use it? Employees may forget or simply ignore warnings and become severely injured by an unexpected outburst of hazardous energy.

 

This is why the lock and tag are so crucial to employee and visitor safety. Remember, when it comes to handling of machines or equipment while servicing, only specifically identified employees such as engineers or electricians with proper maintenance training and technical backgrounds are suitable to approach and provide possible servicing.

 

Here are some of the significant points that adds to the importance of Lockout Tagout. However, these are not enough, the list goes on

 

1.  Guards the employees and shop floor workers from severe accidents and risk of hazards:

While servicing and maintenance, workers are the most effected as they are exposed to danger at all times. Any act of negligence leads to incidences. Lockout Tagout acts as life saving devices, which when used properly, following the given LOTO procedures, protects the employees from the release of hazardous energies during servicing or maintenance of machines or equipment.

 

2.Assures an accident free workplace:

In other words, Safe Lockout Tagout protects the equipment, machine and workplace from damage. It is very important to make sure that we work in a safe and accident free workplace and this can only be done if we follow Lockout Tagout procedures carefully. It reduces incidences of injuries, and increases safety of machines, equipment, employees and workplaces.

 

3.Demonstrates the concern of the top management towards the safety of its employees:

Employees are the most important asset to any organization, and their safety is the sole responsibility of the employer. i.e. the Top Management. Most companies suffer fines and penalties because they fail to protect their employees from accidents and factory mishaps. It is only because they lack concern!

 

Implementation of proper Lockout Tagout procedure and a successful LOTO system at workplace, depicts the unprecedented commitment of the top management, towards its employees.

 

4  It builds trust and a sense of confidence in the eyes of the employees:

When employees work in a risk- free environment, they work self-assuredly. Building a culture of safety enables every employee to reach home safely, work with confidence, and have a sense of security.

 

5. Helps in meeting the LOTO Compliance

Staying in compliance with the OSHA Lockout Tagout standards, protects companies and establishments from regulatory fines and serious consequences that occur due to negligence. The legal formalities laid by OSHA under 29 CRF. 1910.147 must be adhered to, always.

 

E-Square is the only company which is totally dedicated to help the companies, establish their complete “LOTO SYSTEM”. Since we know the importance and significance of the subject, we are always there to help our customers understand Lockout Tagout in every way possible. 

Our safety professionals and engineers reach out to you, at your plant for complete safety trainings, advices and recommendations in every way that you need.