Training: Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) 

What is Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)?

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) training is a safety procedure under OSHA’s Control of Hazardous Energy Standard (29 CFR 1910.147) that protects workers from hazardous energy during maintenance and servicing of machinery. LOTO applies to various hazardous energy types including:

• • Electrical
  • Mechanical
  • Hydraulic
  • Pneumatic
  • Thermal
  • Chemical
  • Stored Energy

The purpose of LOTO is to ensure that machinery and equipment are rendered safe during maintenance by:

• • Moving all energy isolation devices (e.g. valves, switches, etc.) to a safe position
  • Applying locks or tags to prevent activation
  • Verifying the absence of hazardous energy before work begins

Three Categories of LOTO Employees

LOTO training is tailored to three employee groups as per 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7):

1. 1. Authorized Employees – Must receive training on recognizing applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of energy available in the workplace, and the methods necessary for energy isolation
   2. Affected Employees – Must receive training on the purpose and use of energy control procedures
   3. Other Employees (i)(C) – Must be instructed on the procedure and the prohibition against attempting to restart or re-energize locked or tagged equipment

Steps to Proper Lockout/Tagout

The six steps to proper LOTO follows:

1. 1. Preparation – Authorized employee identifies the type and magnitude of energy, hazards to be controlled, and control methods
   2. Shutdown – Notify all affected employees and shut down the equipment
   3. Isolation – Locate and operate all energy isolation devices to disconnect the equipment from energy sources.
   4. Lockout – Apply lockout devices to each energy isolation device in a manner that holds it in the “safe” position
   5. Check – Release, disconnect, or restrain residual energy until rendered safe
   6. Verification – Authorized employee confirms equipment is properly isolated and de-energized before work begins

Startup of Equipment After LOTO

After servicing is complete, the procedure to restart equipment is as follows:

1. 1. Inspect work area to ensure non-essential items such as tools or spare parts have been removed (all machine/equipment components are operationally intact)
   2. Verify all employees have been safely positioned or have cleared the area
   3. Notify all affected employees before restarting equipment
   4. Remove each lockout/tagout device only by the same employees who applied it
   5. Re-energize and restart equipment following the proper procedures

Important LOTO Considerations

Key aspects of LOTO to take into account:

• • Locks & Tags – Must be durable, standardized, and used only for LOTO
  • Multi-Shift Work – Ensure smooth transfer of lockout responsibility between shifts
  • Contractors – Must follow host employer’s LOTO procedures
  • Personal Responsibility – Each employee must secure their own lock and maintain control
  • Energy Control Procedure (ECP) – Utilized when equipment has multiple energy sources and must include:
    • Steps for shutdown, isolation, blocking, and securing equipment
    • Notification protocols for affected personnel
    • Lock/tag placement, removal, and transfer procedures
    • Verification requirements before work begins