OSHA Lockout Requirements

OSHA 1910.147 covers lock-out tag-out requirements. Lock-out tag-out is a procedure designed to prevent the unintentional start-up of equipment or the release of stored energy, which could result in injury of a worker. Lock-out tag-out procedures are used in situations where employees may perform repairs or routine service of equipment. For example, if an employee needed to enter a furnace to clean it, he would need to lock out all sources of energy to the furnace before entering. This would be accomplished through a lock-out tag-out system. Failure to comply with lock-out tag-out procedures could result in serious injury or death.

Energy Control Program

• OSHA requires that employers establish an energy control program where employees must come into bodily contact with process equipment. The energy control program must consist of energy control measures and training for employees as well as periodic inspection to ensure compliance. Energy control measures are sometimes referred to as a "zero energy state." When an employee shuts down equipment and must enter it or come into bodily contact for servicing or other operations, he must ensure a zero energy state. This means "bleeding off" any stored pneumatic or hydraulic pressure built up in a system and blocking or completely lowering any equipment that has the potential to fall.

Energy Isolation

• Once the employee has brought the equipment to a zero energy state, he must isolate any energy control devices so they cannot be re-energized while he is in the equipment. This is often achieved by hanging a lock on any valves or breakers. The employee will have a lock that is either key or combination opened, and he will put his lock on the equipment before entering the process and then remove it after the work is complete.

Tagging Out

• OSHA requires that when a device is locked out, some sort of notification, such a sign or tag, shall state the equipment is locked out and will identify the employee locking it out. Tags for tagging out equipment will have a phrase such as: Do Not Operate, Do Not Start or Do Not Energize.