How often dose OSHA require LOTO training and who should attend?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide initial and ongoing training for employees who perform lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures as part of their job responsibilities.

Initial training is required for all employees before they begin work, which requires using LOTO procedures. This training should include the specific procedures and techniques used by the employer to control hazardous energy, as well as information on the related hazards and the proper use of any LOTO equipment or devices provided by the employer.

After the initial training, employees are required to receive refresher training at least once every three years, or more often if there are changes to the energy control procedures when employees are observed not complying with the standard or if an accident or near-miss occurs.

A qualified person should conduct the training, someone who has knowledge and experience in the types of machinery, equipment, and energy that the employee will be working on and the safety requirements related to it. The training should be in a format and language that the employee can understand, and the employees should have the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers.

In addition to the initial and ongoing LOTO training, OSHA also requires employers to provide additional training to employees when there are changes to the energy control procedures or when new types of machinery, equipment, or energy are introduced in the workplace. This training should be provided to all employees affected by the changes and should cover any new or revised procedures, hazards, or equipment associated with the changes.

It’s important to note that all employees who are required to perform LOTO procedures should attend the training regardless of their job duties, position or seniority. This includes full-time, part-time, and temporary employees, as well as employees of contractors and subcontractors who are working on-site.

In summary, OSHA requires employers to provide initial and ongoing lockout/tagout (LOTO) training for all employees who must perform LOTO procedures as part of their job responsibilities. This training should cover the specific procedures and techniques used by the employer to control hazardous energy, as well as the related hazards and proper use of any LOTO equipment or devices. Initial training should be done before an employee begins work that requires LOTO and should be refreshed at least once every three years or more often when changes to energy control procedures are made. A qualified person should conduct the training in a format and language that employees can understand. And finally, all employees who are required to perform LOTO procedures should attend the training regardless of their job duties, position or seniority.