indiana.eduLockout / Tagout
This standard applies to all employees servicing and maintaining machines and equipment in which the unexpected energization, start up, or release of stored energy could cause injury to the employee. The policy describes a series of specific steps to be taken to lockout (physically control) a source of energy, tag them to communicate with others in the area, and return the machinery to normal service, and is an important life-saving step in many maintenance operations. Energy sources could be electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal or other energy. During servicing and maintenance, energy-isolating devices must be locked out and tagged out in accordance with written procedures. In the rare chance that you are unable to lock out the machine or equipment, you must follow strict procedures for tagging out and controlling that source of energy.
Departments are responsible for develping machine-specific written LO/TO SOPs, and seeing that training is provided for all maintenance personnel and others in the area that could come in contact with their LO/TO tags.
SERVICES
- Assistance with development of written SOPs
- Equipment evaluations
- Training
PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES
- IU Lockout / Tagout program
- OSHA - 29CFR 1910.147