Safety Tidbit #2.13 - Lockout Devices

Safety Tidbit #2.13 – Lockout Devices

Source:            29CFR1910.147

                        OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page – Control of Hazardous Energy

Without getting into specific exemptions, OSHA’s Lockout-tagout standard covers the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in which the unexpected energization or start-up of the machines or equipment, or release of stored energy, could harm employees. I had a question recently about storage of the locks. My client wished to know when not in use, if it was okay to store the lockout devices with their keys still in. I didn’t see any reason why not and told them I would be more worried about losing the keys when not is service.

So a quick rundown about lockout devices from OSHA’s Lockout-Tagout Standard:

·      First all items necessary to secure a piece of equipment must be provided by the employer. [1910.147(c)(5)(i)]

·      Lockout devices and tagout devices shall be singularly identified; shall be the only devices(s) used for controlling energy; shall not be used for other purposes; and shall meet the following requirements:

o   Durable. [1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(A)]

§  Lockout and tagout devices shall be capable of withstanding the environment to which they are exposed for the maximum period of time that exposure is expected. [1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(A)(1)]

§  Tagout devices shall be constructed and printed so that exposure to weather conditions or wet and damp locations will not cause the tag to deteriorate or the message on the tag to become illegible. [[1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(A)(2)]

§  Tags shall not deteriorate when used in corrosive environments such as areas where acid and alkali chemicals are handled and stored. [[1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(A)(3)]

o   Standardized. Lockout and tagout devices shall be standardized within the facility in at least one of the following criteria: Color; shape; or size; and additionally, in the case of tagout devices, print and format shall be standardized. [[1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(B)]

o   Substantial - Lockout devices shall be substantial enough to prevent removal without the use of excessive force or unusual techniques, such as with the use of bolt cutters or other metal cutting tools. [1910.147(c)((5)(ii)(C)(1)]

Hope this was helpful and thanks for reading my Safety Tidbits ~ Bryan