Lockout/Tagout

Lockout/Tagout

There are many potential risks and hazards within the workplace but none greater than the sudden release of energy which a machine can generate.

Every year hundreds of workers are injured or even killed whilst conducting routine maintenance or repairs of workplace machinery and equipment due to this sudden release of energy.

As a result of this, every company has a legal requirement ensuring that all machines which are being repaired or maintained have their energy sources turned off and locked out. This ‘locking off’ practice will prevent the unauthorised operation of the machine until all of the work has been completed.

What is it?
Lockout/Tagout is a planned safety procedure which involves turning off the energy supply of equipment and machinery whilst maintenance and repairs are being carried out. This procedure protects workers from danger and the machinery being set in motion. Once all of the work and repairs to the machinery have been checked and completed then all of the lockout equipment and locks can be removed ready for the machinery to commence safe operation again.

Legal Requirements
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAWA), section 2 states:

• It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure so far as reasonably practical, the heath, safety and welfare at work of all his employees. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), Regulation 19 - Isolation from sources of energy states:
• Every employer shall ensure that where appropriate work equipment is provided with suitable means to isolate it from all its sources of energy.
• ‘Every employer shall take appropriate measures to ensure that re-connection of any energy source to work equipment does not expose any person using the work equipment to any risk to his health or safety.

Lockout/Tagout Safety Checklist
Use this checklist as best practice for a safe lockout/tagout procedure, thus aiding your compliance with the PUWER 1998 and the HASAWA 1974.

Employee Training

• Are all authorised employees whose job requires them to perform maintenance on machinery trained on lockout/tagout procedures?
• Do authorised employees know the adequate methods and means of isolating hazardous energy sources?
• Is lockout/tagout retraining sufficient to provide employee proficiency and introduce new or revised procedures?
• Has all employee training been formally recorded?

Lockout/Tagout Procedures

• Are the lockout/tagout devices suitable for the environment they are exposed to?
• Are lockout/tagout devices easily recognisable and clearly visible?
• Is new or replacement equipment able to accept a lock device?
• Are tagouts located in positions which are obvious to anyone attempting to operate the machinery
• Has the equipment/machinery been fully tested and inspected before all lockout devices have been removed?
• Has all maintenance and repair work been formally recorded?