A Comprehensive Guide to Lockout Tagout (LOTO) a stp-by-step guide

A Comprehensive Guide to Lockout Tagout (LOTO) is a step-by-step process designed to help ensure the safety of workers exposed to hazardous energy while working on machinery and equipment. The steps involved in LOTO include the following:

1. Identifying the hazards: LOTO begins by identifying the hazards associated with the machinery and equipment that will be worked on. This includes identifying the energy sources that need to be locked or tagged out, such as electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic energy.
2. Developing procedures: Once the hazards have been identified, procedures need to be developed that detail how the machinery or equipment will be locked or tagged out. These procedures should be specific to the machinery or equipment and include information on the specific energy sources that need to be controlled.
3. Training workers: Workers performing LOTO procedures must be trained on the procedures and the hazards associated with the machinery and equipment. This training should include information on the specific energy sources that need to be controlled and the procedures for locking or tagging out the machinery or equipment.
4. Implementing the procedures: Once the procedures have been developed and the workers have been trained, the procedures must be implemented. This involves physically locking or tagging out the energy sources and ensuring that the machinery or equipment is safe before work begins.
5. Monitoring and inspection:  LOTO procedures must be monitored to ensure that they are followed correctly and that the machinery or equipment remains safe. This includes regular inspections to ensure that the locks and tags are in place and that the machinery or equipment is not being operated while locked or tagged out.
6. Reviewing and updating: Regularly reviewing and updating the LOTO procedures is important to ensure that they remain effective and continue to address the hazards associated with the machinery and equipment.

It’s important to note that LOTO is a legal requirement in many countries, and it’s a part of OSHA standard 1910.147, which covers the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in which the unexpected energization or start-up of the machines or equipment, or release of stored energy, could harm employees. Employers must establish and implement an energy control 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 energization, start-up, or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy sources.