Lock-Out, Tag-Out Procedure

Sample Lockout, Tagout procedure or policy

 
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Sample Lockout/ Tag-out Procedure
 
 This is a sample lockout/tag-out procedure that could be used in a company’s electrical safety program. The sample procedure is based on requirements that are found in NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces.  OSHA regulations identify lockout/tag-out requirements in several different sections. Basic OSHA lockout/tag-out requirements are contained in 29 CFR 1910.147. Lockout and tag-out are also addressed in 29 CFR 1910.333, 1910.269, and 1926 Subpart K. Other consensus standards also contain lockout and tag-out requirements and concerns. While each of these standards is founded in reality, differences are significant. These differences often result in confusion and misunderstanding of the lockout/tag-out process.
  The sample procedure provided here is intended to address all the requirements from these regulations and standards from the perspective of exposure to electrical hazards. This procedure can be used for individual employee control or simple lockout/tag-out situations. Where a job/task is under the control of one person, the individual employee control procedure can be used in lieu of a lockout/tag-out procedure. The sample procedure can also be used as part of a complex lockout/tag-out, but a more comprehensive plan should be developed, documented, and utilized. Employees must understand the content of the company’s lockout/tag-out procedure before it can be effective. They must be trained to understand both the requirements and the reason for each requirement before the procedure is implemented. The following sample procedure will assist employers in developing written procedures for controlling employees’ exposure to electrical energy hazards.



This procedure establishes the minimum requirements for lockout (tag-out) of electrical energy sources. It is to be used to ensure that conductors and circuit parts are disconnected from sources of electrical energy, locked (tagged), and tested before work begins where employees could be exposed to dangerous conditions. Sources of stored energy, such as capacitors or springs, shall be relieved of their energy. A mechanism shall be engaged to prevent re-accumulation of energy.

1. Review drawings

Review current diagrammatic drawings (or other equally effective means), tags, labels, and signs to identify and locate all disconnecting means to determine that power is interrupted by a physical break and not a circuit interlock. Make a list of disconnecting means to be locked (tagged).

2. Review disconnecting means

Review disconnecting means to determine adequacy of their interrupting ability. Determine if it will be possible to verify a visible open point, or if other precautions will be necessary.

3. Review other work activity

Review other work activity to identify where and how other personnel might be exposed to sources of electrical energy hazards. Review other energy sources in the physical area to determine employee exposure to sources of other types of energy. Establish energy control methods for control of other hazardous energy sources in the area.

4. Provide voltage detector

Provide an adequately rated voltage detector to test each phase conductor or circuit part to verify that they are de-energized.

5. Ground phase conductors or circuit parts

Where the possibility of induced voltages or stored electrical energy exists, call for grounding the phase conductors or circuit parts before touching them. Where it could be reasonably anticipated that contact with other exposed energized conductors or circuit parts is possible, call for applying ground-connecting devices.

 

6. INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE CONTROL PROCEDURE

The individual employee control procedure can be used when equipment with exposed conductors and circuit parts is deenergized for minor maintenance, servicing, adjusting, cleaning, inspection operating corrections, and the like. Under this procedure, the work shall be permitted to be performed without the placement of lockout/tagout devices on the disconnecting means, provided the disconnecting means is adjacent to the conductor, circuit parts, and equipment on which the work is performed. In addition, the disconnecting means must be clearly visible to all employees involved in the work, and the work must not extend beyond the work shift.

SEQUENCE OF LOCKOUT (TAGOUT) SYSTEM PROCEDURES

1. Notify employees

Notify the employees that a lockout (tagout) system is going to be implemented and the reason therefore. The qualified employee implementing the lockout (tagout) shall know the disconnecting means location for all sources of electrical energy and the location of all sources of stored energy. The qualified person shall be knowledgeable of hazards associated with electrical energy.

2. De-energize and disconnect

If the electrical supply is energized, the qualified person shall de-energize and disconnect the electric supply and relieve all stored energy.

3. Use lockout devices

Lock out all disconnecting means with lockout devices.

Note: For tag-out, one additional safety measure must be employed, such as opening, blocking, or removing an additional circuit element.

4. Operate the disconnecting means

Attempt to operate the disconnecting means to determine that operation is prohibited.

5. Use a voltage-detecting instrument

Use a voltage-detecting instrument. (See 12.3.) Inspect the instrument for visible damage. Do not proceed if there is an indication of damage to the instrument until an undamaged device is available.

6. Verify before testing

Verify proper instrument operation and then test for absence of voltage.

7. Verify after testing

Verify proper instrument operation after testing for absence of voltage.

8. Install grounding equipment

Where required, install grounding equipment/conductor device on the phase conductors or circuit parts, to eliminate induced voltage or stored energy, before touching them. Where it has been determined that contact with other exposed energized conductors or circuit parts is possible, apply ground-connecting devices rated for the available fault duty.

The equipment and/or electrical source is now locked out (tagged out).

RESTORING THE EQUIPMENT AND/OR ELECTRICAL SUPPLY TO NORMAL CONDITION

1. Verify

After the job/task is complete, visually verify that the job/task is complete.

2. Remove tools

Remove all tools, equipment, and unused materials and perform appropriate housekeeping.

3. Remove grounding equipment

Remove all grounding equipment/conductor/devices.

4. Notify personnel

Notify all personnel involved with the job/task that the lockout (tag-out) is complete, that the electrical supply is being restored, and to remain clear of the equipment and electrical supply.

5. Perform quality control

Perform any quality control tests/checks on the repaired/replaced equipment and/or electrical supply.

6. Remove lockout devices

Lockout devices shall be removed by the person who installed them.

7. Notify owner

Notify the equipment and/or electrical supply owner that the equipment and/or electrical supply is ready to be returned to normal operation.

8. Return to normal

Return the disconnecting means to their normal condition.

■ 8.0 PROCEDURE INVOLVING MORE THAN ONE PERSON

1. Personal lockout

For a simple lockout/tag-out and where more than one person is involved in the job/task, each person shall install his/her own personal lockout (tag-out) device.

 PROCEDURE INVOLVING MORE THAN ONE SHIFT

1. Successive shifts

When the lockout (tag-out) extends for more than one day, the lockout (tag-out) shall be verified to be still in place at the beginning of the next day. Where the lockout (tag-out) is continued on successive shifts, the lockout (tag-out) is considered to be a complex lockout (tag-out).

2. Communication

For complex lockout (tag-out), the person-in-charge shall identify the method for transfer of the lockout (tag-out) and of communication with all employees.

 

 COMPLEX LOCKOUT

1. Require a complex plan

A complex lockout/tag-out plan is required where one or more of the following exist:

  • Multiple energy sources (more than one)
  • Multiple crews
  • Multiple crafts
  • Multiple locations
  • Multiple employers
  • Unique disconnecting means
  • Complex or particular switching sequences
  • The task continues for more than one shift and involves new workers

2. Prepare written plan

All complex lockout/tag-out procedures shall require a written plan of execution. 

3. Name person-in-charge

A person-in-charge shall be named to oversee a complex lockout/tag-out procedure.

4. Assign duties

The person-in-charge shall develop a written plan of execution and communicate that plan to all persons engaged in the job/task. The person-in-charge shall be held accountable for safe execution of the complex lockout/tag-out plan. The complex lockout/tag-out plan must address all the concerns of employees who might be exposed, and those employees must understand how electrical energy is controlled. The person-in-charge shall ensure that each person understands the hazards to which they are exposed and the safety-related work practices they are to use.

5. Track personnel

All complex lockout/tag-out plans identify the method to account for all persons who might be exposed to electrical hazards in the course of the lockout/tag-out. Select which of the following methods is to be used:

  • Each individual will install his or her own personal lockout or tag-out device.
  • The person-in-charge shall lock his/her key in a “lock box.”
  • The person-in-charge shall maintain a sign in/out log for all personnel entering the area.
  • Another equally effective methodology.

6. Assign installation

The person-in-charge can install locks/tags or direct their installation on behalf of other employees.

7. Assign removal

The person-in-charge can remove locks/tags or direct their removal on behalf of other employees only after all personnel are accounted for and ensured to be clear of potential electrical hazards.

8. Identify transfer and communication methods (complex)

Where the complex lockout (tag-out) is continued on successive shifts, the person-in-charge shall identify the method for transfer of the lockout and of communication with all employees.

9. Identify transfer and communication methods (simple)

For a simple lockout/tag-out and where more than one person is involved in the job/task, each person shall install his/her own personal lockout (tag-out) device.

 DISCIPLINE

1. Define action for procedure violation

Knowingly violating this procedure will result in a disciplinary action.

2. Define action for disconnecting means violation

Knowingly operating a disconnecting means with an installed lockout device (tag-out device) will result in disciplinary actions.

■ 12.0 EQUIPMENT

1. Identify types of locks, determine the type and model of selected locks.

2. Identify types of tags, determine the type to be used.

3. Identify voltage-detecting device(s) or meters to approved to test voltages.

 

 LOCKOUT/TAGOUT TRAINING

Recommended training may include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Recognizing lockout/tag-out devices
  • Installing lockout/tag-out devices
  • Duty of employer in writing procedures
  • Duty of employee in executing procedures
  • Duty of person-in-charge
  • Authorized and unauthorized removal of locks/tags
  • Enforcing execution of lockout/tag-out procedures
  • Individual employee control of energy
  • Simple lockout/tag-out
  • Complex lockout/tag-out
  • Using single-line and diagrammatic drawings to identify sources of energy
  • Use of tags and warning signs
  • Release of stored energy
  • Personnel accounting methods
  • Grounding needs/requirements
  • Safe use of voltage-detecting instruments

 Notice:  The information above is for your reference only. It has been complied here for your information. Any used of the policies and procedures contained herein is done at your own responsibilities. ITU or its affiliates are not responsible for the use or outcome from the use of this content. ITU assumes not liability from the use of the content herein.