OSHA’s lockout/tagout standard [29 CFR 1910.147] requires employers and employees to take proper steps to prevent unexpected machine startup accidents.
Here’s what you can do to prevent unexpected startup incidents and ensure compliance with OSHA’s lockout standard:
- Develop and implement a written hazardous energy control program, including lockout/tagout procedures, employee training, and inspections before any maintenance or service work is done.
- Be sure that workers have a clear understanding of when hazardous energy control procedures apply and training on how to properly apply the procedures.
- Ensure that procedures on lockout/tagout are developed that are specific to each machine.
- Provide training to production workers in addition to maintenance workers in methods of energy isolation and control [see 29 CFR 1910.147(b)].
- Ensure that workers are provided with a sufficient number of lockouts and tagouts and other hardware that may be needed to effectively isolate each energy source [see 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(5)(i)].
- Clearly label isolation devices, such as breaker panels and control valves.
- Be sure that all employees who operate or work with the machine, as well as those in the area where service or maintenance is performed, know that the lockout devices have been removed after servicing and that the machine is capable of being re-energized [see 29 CFR Part 1910.147 (e)(3)].
- Ensure that no one under the age of 18 works on machinery declared hazardous by child labor laws [see Fair Labor Standards Act].
- Ensure that workers receive training in their primary language.
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Here’s what your employees can do:
- Follow the regulations contained in your hazardous energy control program.
- Complete all training on hazardous energy control procedures.
- Before beginning machine adjustment, maintenance, or servicing work, do the following:—De-energize all sources of hazardous energy by disconnecting or shutting down engines or motors, de-energizing electrical circuits, blocking fluid (gas or liquid) flow in hydraulic or pneumatic systems, and/or blocking machine parts against motion.—Lockout and tagout all forms of hazardous energy, including electrical breaker panels and control valves.
—Block or dissipate stored energy by discharging capacitors; releasing or blocking springs that are under compression or tension; and venting fluids from pressure vessels, tanks, or accumulators (but never vent toxic, flammable, or explosive substances directly into the atmosphere).
- Make sure that only one key exists for each of their assigned locks and that only they hold that key.
- Verify by test and/or observation that all energy sources are de-energized.
- Inspect repair work before removing their lock and activating the equipment.
- Make sure that only they remove their assigned lock.
- Make sure that they and their co-workers are clear of danger points before re-energizing the system.
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