The Must-Know Basics of Lockout/Tagout Procedures
Industrial machinery and equipment can be very dangerous, and this is the reason why safety control measures go a long way. However, even when not in use, machinery can present certain hazards as long as they are connected to different power sources like electricity, natural gas, compressed air, as well as steam among others. This is why it is recommended that companies should have a formal lockout/tagout (LOTO) program that involves certain procedures that are designed to safeguard employees from unexpected hazards. Read on to learn the must-know basics of lockout/tagout procedures.
What are the Procedures for Machinery?
First and foremost, it is vital to correctly identify the equipment involved before you begin the maintenance process. The next step is to determine the correct procedure that you can take for shutting down and restarting the machinery. It is important to detail the procedure that you will use in writing and take into account all energy sources connected to the machinery. You need to be specific and avoid ambiguous language that can lead to dangerous activities while you aim to prevent such a situation.
Get the Right Program to Use
It is essential to find the right procedure that you can use to prevent any hazard on the machine that you will be working on. This can be achieved through the use of LOTO software. Different lockout tagout software options consist of built-in management tools that are designed to protect your records in case of any eventuality. When you are working on a computer, the program helps to ensure that you can easily access your records on any device. The procedure should include a step by step process that should be undertaken for shutting down the machinery and restarting it.
Notify All Employees Who May Be Affected
You should notify all the employees that may be affected by the maintenance procedure on the equipment involved. It is important to share critical information with all the affected parties such as the start time of maintenance and how long the process will take. You also need to inform the workers in advance should there be any need for changes that can be implemented during the maintenance process.
Properly Shutdown the Equipment
The shutdown process of the equipment should be detailed to ensure that everyone within the worksite is safe. You should also take safety precautions to ensure that you do not cause more harm to the equipment. All the actions to be taken should be spelled out correctly and in their sequence. Some machines require different steps to shut down and make sure you carefully follow them and avoid any shortcuts.
Locate the Primary Energy Sources
After shutting down the equipment, you should locate all sources of primary energy that may include electricity, gas, compressed air, gas, and others. Follow the right procedure to disconnect these sources of energy. You should also isolate secondary sources of energy that can pose a danger during the maintenance process.
Verify the Lockout
Attempt to start the machinery when you have disconnected both primary and secondary energy sources so that you can verify whether the lockout was successful. Check if there is no one around before you start the equipment to avoid injuries. When you think the procedures have been successful, you can return the equipment to off position to prevent it from starting when you reconnect energy sources. To ensure safety, you must use tags and locks and make sure no one will remove them.
Maintain the Lockout/Tagout Condition
Throughout the procedure, you should ensure that the equipment remains under LOTO conditions to ensure that all workers are aware that the machinery is out of service. The individual with tags and locks should be present during the entire procedure.
Switch on The Equipment
Once the work is done, make sure the place is cleared and all tools are put in the right place. You can then switch on the machinery, but the procedure should also outline the necessary steps that should be taken. Nothing should be taken for granted since the correct sequence of activities should be followed always. You can also try to release any remaining water or gas in the pipes before switching on the equipment.
Industrial equipment can be very dangerous since it can cause unprecedented hazards if connected to different power sources. To mitigate the risks posed by different equipment, it is recommended that companies should have lockout/tagout procedures that are designed to rectify the problems that can pose a danger to the employees. When undertaking these procedures, certain steps should be followed to avoid causing more harm to the equipment.
