Staying in Compliance with Lockout/Tagout Requirements, Part 1
Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)
What does the OSHA standard cover?
This lockout/tagout standard covers the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in which the unexpected energization or startup of the machines or equipment, or release of stored energy, could harm employees.
OSHA Requirements for the employer
Establish an Energy Control Program. The employer shall establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performs any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative.
Written procedures
- Procedures shall be developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees are engaged in the activities covered by this section.
- The procedures shall clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, the following:
- A specific statement of the intended use of the procedure;
- Specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy;
- Specific procedural steps for the placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices or tagout devices and the responsibility for them; and
- Specific requirements for testing a machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy control measures.
Required Periodic Inspections
The employer shall conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements of this standard are being followed.
- The periodic inspection shall be performed by an authorized employee other than the ones(s) utilizing the energy control procedure being inspected.
- The periodic inspection shall be conducted to correct any deviations or inadequacies identified.
- Where lockout is used for energy control, the periodic inspection shall include a review, between the inspector and each authorized employee, of that employee’s responsibilities under the energy control procedure being inspected.
- Where tagout is used for energy control, the periodic inspection shall include a review, between the inspector and each authorized and affected employee, of that employee’s responsibilities under the energy control procedure being inspected, and the elements set forth in paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of this section.
- The employer shall certify that the periodic inspections have been performed. The certification shall identify the machine or equipment on which the energy control procedure was being utilized, the date of the inspection, the employees included in the inspection, and the person performing the inspection.
Be sure to document all inspections, training and retraining!
