Brady
A typical lockout tagout program can contain over 80 elements. In order to ensure compliance with OSHA’s Control of Hazardous Energy regulatory standard you will need to create a robust lockout tagout program that:
- Clearly defines lockout procedures
- Provides guidelines for controlling hazardousenergy during maintenance and servicing
- Outlines the training program for workers
6 Key Elements of a Lockout Tagout Program
1. Program or Policy
Document your equipment energy control policy/program with a written lockout document to establish and explain the elements of your program. A program is not a one-time change; it should always be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure it's still relevant and effectively protects employees.
2. Procedures
Clearly identify the equipment covered and provide employees with clear, visually intuitive instructions. Your lockout procedures should be documented and clearly identify the equipment covered in a formal manner.
3. Isolation Points
Locate and identify all energy control points with permanently placed and standardized labels or tags. This includes valves, switches, breakers and plugs.
Be aware that these labels and tags should be consistent with the equipment-specific procedures from Step 2
4. Training
Thoroughly train your employees, communicate processes and conduct periodic inspections to ensure that your program is running in an effective manner.
5. Devices
Choose the appropriate solution for your application in lockout effectiveness. Once that is selected, it is critical to document and use devices that best fit each lockout point.
6. Sustainability
Keep your program sustainable by maintaining and continuously reviewing it throughout the year to save time and costs. When programs lack sustainability, they tend to have higher costs in the long run since the lockout tagout program must be recreated each year.
OSHA & Lockout Tagout
About Employee Training
Choosing Lockout Tagout Devices