This document provides safety tips and guidelines for lockout/tagout procedures. It outlines the OSHA standard that specifies practices for disabling machinery to prevent hazardous energy during maintenance. Lockout/tagout procedures are required when servicing equipment where unexpected startup could occur. The document lists steps for de-energizing sources of hazardous energy, locking out and tagging energy sources, blocking stored energy, and verifying isolation before work begins. Resources for the OSHA standard and lockout/tagout information are also provided.

1. SAFETY TIP:
Lockout / Tagout Procedures
The OSHA standard for The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout),
Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.147, outlines practices
and procedures to disable machinery or equipment, thereby preventing the
release of hazardous energy while employees perform servicing and
maintenance activities. These tips will help keep your workers safe and in
compliance with LOTO standards.
Lockout/Tagout procedures apply in the following circumstances:
 While servicing or maintaining equipment, when unexpected startup of
the machine or release of stored energy could occur
 During normal production when workers must remove or bypass a guard or safety device
 During normal production when workers place any part of their body into the danger zone or near
the machine’s point of operation
 During all set up activities
NIOSH recommends that workers follow the regulations contained in their employer’s hazardous energy
control program and complete all employer-provided training on hazardous energy control procedures.
Before beginning machine adjustment, maintenance, or servicing work, always do the following:
1. De-energize all sources of hazardous energy:
 Disconnect or shut down engines or motors.
 De-energize electrical circuits.
 Block fluid (gas or liquid) flow in hydraulic or pneumatic systems.
 Block machine parts against motion.
2. Lockout and tagout all forms of hazardous energy, including electrical breaker panels and
control valves.
3. Block or dissipate stored energy:
 Discharge capacitors.
 Release or block springs that are under compression or tension.
 Vent fluids from pressure vessels, tanks, or accumulators, but never vent toxic, flammable, or
explosive substances directly into the atmosphere.
 Make sure that only one key exists for each of your assigned locks and that only you hold
that key.
 Verify by test and/or observation that all energy sources are de-energized.
 Inspect repair work before removing your lock and activating the equipment.
 Make sure that only you remove your assigned lock.
 Make sure all workers are clear of danger points before re-energizing the system.
Lockout / Tagout Resources:
 Review Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.147 here.
 Visit the OSHA LOTO Tutorial page.
 Visit the main OSHA LOTO site.
 Select LOTO and Safety Tags at ComplianceSigns.com.
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