What is the history of LOTO with OSHA?

The history of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) regulations in the United States can be traced back to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970. This act established the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a federal agency responsible for protecting the safety and health of workers in the United States.

In 1989, OSHA issued a final rule on the control of hazardous energy, also known as the LOTO standard. The standard was established to protect workers from releasing hazardous energy while servicing and maintaining machines and equipment. The LOTO standard requires employers to establish energy control procedures, such as LOTO, to ensure that dangerous machines are properly shut off and cannot be operated before maintenance or repair work is performed.

The LOTO standard applies to a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, construction, and healthcare, and covers a wide range of equipment, including power presses, conveyors, and robotic equipment. The standard requires employers to:

• Establish and implement energy control procedures
• Train employees on the procedures
• Use locks, tags, and other means to prevent the release of hazardous energy physically
• Inspect and maintain the energy control procedures
• Have procedures in place for unexpected startup
• train employees on the related hazards of the job
• Have procedures for inspecting, maintaining, and testing equipment
• Document all activities regarding LOTO

The standard also requires employers to periodically evaluate their energy control procedures to ensure that they effectively prevent the release of hazardous energy.

In addition to the standard, OSHA also provides extensive guidance on LOTO through publications, training materials, and outreach programs. OSHA also conducts regular inspections to ensure employers comply with the LOTO standard.

The standard was last updated in 2016 to include new and emerging technologies, like that of Smart-LOTO, and to align with international consensus standards. The Standard aims to prevent an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries yearly.

In summary, the history of LOTO regulations in the United States can be traced back to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970, with the LOTO standard being issued in 1989, aimed at protecting workers from the release of hazardous energy while servicing and maintaining machines and equipment. The standard is regularly updated and enforced by OSHA through extensive guidance, training materials, outreach programs, inspections, and penalties for non-compliance.