First of all, what is the LOTO? This is the acronym that refers to the lockout/tagout procedures of properly shutting off machines at a plant or facility in order to perform maintenance. These procedures should be implemented on any machine or production line that contains any source of:
- Mechanical Energy
- Hydraulics
- Pneumatic Energy
- Chemicals
- Thermal Energy
These procedures are designed and implemented to isolate energy and control equipment. In doing so, this helps protect all machine operators, the equipment itself, and bystanders. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) released statistics stating that nearly 120 deaths and 28,000 lost work days each year regarding improper lockout/tagout procedures.
But who should know about these procedures? There are two kinds of employees when it comes to LOTO:
- Affected Employees – An employee who is required to use machines or equipment on which servicing is person under the lockout/tagout standard or whom performs other jobs in areas where servicing is performed.
- Authorized Employees – An employee who locks or tags machine in order to perform maintenance or to service.
It is important that both affected and authorized employees know the lockout/tagout procedures at your facility and the difference between the two. It is equally important to know the LOTO procedures of the plants that you visit to perform proper and safe machinery maintenance. When it comes to keeping yourself and others safe, preventing electrocution or any injury, it is best that all invovled get on the same page.
Visit EPIC and learn more one the EPIC visitor safety policy.