Issue #4  LOTO Lockout/Tagout Procedures

“Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)” refers to specific practices and procedures to safeguard employees from the unexpected energization or startup of machinery and equipment, or the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance activities.

An estimated 3 million workers service equipment daily and risk injury because a lockout/tagout procedure is not properly implemented or enforced. Utilizing the proper lockout/tagout OSHA standard (29 CFR 1910.147) has prevented an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries each year. The United Auto Workers (UAW) did a study regarding electrical related injuries and from the years 1973 to 1995. They discovered that 20% of the fatalities (83 of 414) that occurred among their members were attributed to inadequate hazardous energy control procedures specifically, lockout/tagout procedures. For more information about OSHA’s lockout/tagout requirements click here: OSHA Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)

Several companies have expressed the need for assistance on lock out tag out procedures. It seems there is a need for a standardized process that will allow for modifications in a user friendly format to simplify the process. Remembering that a complicated process of lock out tag out may look good on paper but remember, a procedure that is three pages long when one paragraph would have sufficed is more likely to be looked over and not followed.


Maintenance personnel and other staff need to be on the same page when it comes to safety. There is one common factor that resonates when it comes to locking out and tagging out, injury and death can and has resulted due to the lack of communication between staff and taking short cuts to save time, do not rely on verbal communications ,take your time, follow the rules. Utilize the old saying; “if in doubt lock it out”. Remember there is a reason the machine is turned off. BEFORE you re-energize any equipment find out why it was shut off. Do not remove any lock out device that you did not apply. NEVER take upon yourself the responsibility of some one’s life by assuming that “They should have known”. Remember LIVING.
Lock it, verify it, never guess!

For information about how to develop, implement, and train a lockout/tagout procedure call ITU toll free 866.851.9993