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Hazardous Energy Sources
The tagging portion of LOTO includes the placement of placards that state the present power sources and identify locations to isolate these power sources. Many types of power sources can be hazardous to workers, including:
- electrical
- mechanical
- hydraulic
- pneumatic
- chemical
- thermal
Potential Accidents
The following are examples of accidents that could have been prevented by following proper LOTO procedures:
- A steam valve is automatically turned on, burning workers who are repairing a downstream connection in the piping.
- A jammed conveyor system suddenly releases, crushing a worker who is trying to clear the jam. (Source: OSHA)
OSHA Requires Employers To:
- Develop, implement, and enforce an energy control program and energy control procedures.
- Use lockout devices for equipment that can be locked out.
- Ensure that new or overhauled equipment is capable of being locked out.
- Develop, implement, and enforce an effective tagout program if machines or equipment are not capable of being locked out.
- Use only LOTO devices authorized for the particular equipment or machinery and ensure that they are durable, standardized, and substantial.
- Ensure that LOTO devices identify the individual users.
- Establish a policy that permits only the employee who applied a LOTO device to remove it.
- Inspect energy control procedures at least annually.
- Provide effective training as mandated for all employees covered by the standard.
- Comply with the additional energy control provisions in OSHA standards when machines or equipment must be tested or repositioned, when outside contractors work at the site, in group lockout situations, and during shift or personnel changes.
(Source: OSHA)
What is Lockout/Tagout?
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) is a set of procedures designed to reduce the risks of injury due to the accidental power up of machinery or the release of hazardous energy during servicing or maintenance. These procedures require authorized employees to disable the equipment being serviced from the power source.
Employers are required to provide LOTO training to authorized and affected employees. Authorized employees are employees who will be doing the locking out to perform services to machinery. Affected employees are employees who will be working in those areas but not necessarily doing the servicing work.
Locks and tags must meet certain criteria. These criteria ensure that the lock or tag cannot be removed without the knowledge of authorized employees. Employees who are issued LOTO equipment must keep their key to their lock and a tag with their name on it.
There are many different circumstances that may alter the LOTO procedures, such as group LOTO, when an outside contractor performs LOTO, or when an employee is not available to remove the lock or tag.
Employers are required to review LOTO procedures at least once per year. As a union, we have fought for many years to keep employees safe, so WE must make sure this happens.
We need to view LOTO not as just a policy but as an important set of procedures created to help keep us safe.
By the Numbers
120
Estimated number of fatalities prevented each year through compliance with OSHA’s LOTO Standard.
50,000
Estimated number of injuries prevented each year through compliance with OSHA’s LOTO Standard.
24
Average number of workdays lost by workers injured on the job due to hazardous energy exposure.
The UFCW Local 75 Health and Safety Department
The goal of UFCW Local 75’s Health and Safety Department is to provide workers with the tools they need to address and prevent workplace health and safety hazards. Addressing hazards quickly and appropriately can reduce the number and severity of workplace accidents and illnesses.
Contact Us:
Kelly Winston
Union Representative/ Health & Safety Coordinator
1-800-665-0075 x3017
kelly.winston@ufcw75.org
Scott Kesler
Union Representative/ Health & Safety Coordinator
1-800-665-0075 x1124
scott.kesler@ufcw75.org
877-665-0075
www.ufcw75.org
facebook.com/ufcw75
@UFCW75