1. The leaders in
visual safety.
Tips for Safety
Signage:
8 Steps to Ensure
Proper Lockout /
Tagouts

2. Lockout / Tagout (LOTO)
Refers to shutting off dangerous
equipment that may be:
• Emitting hazardous energy levels
• Requiring maintenance before using
• Is unsafe until it has been serviced

3. and LOTO
In order to protect employees from
injury, OHSA has outlined the proper
safety guidelines for LOTO procedures
to ensure safe & proper lockout tagout
practice within your facility.

4. 8 Tips To LOTO Success
The following 8 Tips will
help make the job easier
when you need to enforce
LOTO.

5. 1. Notify Employees of Needed Servicing
All employees are notified of a
machine or system under
LOTO.
They must understand that it
may not be operated or turned
on until it has been serviced
and fully restored.

6. 2. Servicing Employee Identifies Energy
Type
Authorized service person
identifies possible energy
hazard type.
A containment plan is then
developed for that particular
type and possible magnitude
of energy hazard.

7. 3. Disable the Equipment
If the equipment is still
running, the service person
must determine the best
possible way to bring it to a
safe and orderly stop.

8. 4. Deactivate and Isolate
When the equipment has
been shut-off in LOTO, it
must be isolated and
separated from its energy
source, to avoid accidental
restarting before servicing is
finalized.

9. 5. Lockout the Equipment with Tags
The equipment should then
be placed on LOTO using the
proper tags and locks
indicating that the equipment
is not functional and should
not be put into use.

10. 6. Dissipate Stored Residual Energy
Any stored residual energy
must be relieved or dissipated
to ensure that any sort of built
up energy within the
equipment is restrained.

11. 6. Dissipate Energy... (cont.)
The unintended release of
stored energy could severely
injure employees and needs
to be treated as a serious
step within the LOTO
procedure.

12. 6. Dissipate Energy... (cont.)
Stored energy may include
energy in springs, capacitors,
hydraulic systems, flywheels
and even be in the form of air,
gas, water pressure, or
steam.

13. 6. Dissipate Energy... (cont.)
Common methods used to
release stored energy include
blocking, repositioning,
bleeding down, and
grounding among other
appropriate methods.

14. 7. Verify Disconnection from Energy
The equipment must be
verified for full disconnection.
Before verifying disconnection,
the area should be clear of
employees and the equipment
must be in isolation.

15. 7. Verify Disconnection... (cont.)
The authorized employee
should verify that the LOTO
equipment has indeed been
disconnected, by attempting to
turn on the equipment.

16. 7. Verify Disconnection... (cont.)
If the equipment does not
power on, it is properly
prepared for service.
Return equipment back to “off”
position after verifying that
there is no power.

17. 8. Lockout Accomplished
Once all the above steps have
been taken, the equipment in
need of repair is deemed on
full LOTO and is ready to be
serviced.
Remember to employ good
PPE practices.

18. Looking for LOTO items?
We’ve got you covered.
We here at Creative Safety Supply work with
companies both large and small to help with
their Lockout Tagout needs.
We also carry a host of other safety
tools and products, so be sure to
check out our website for more
information -
CreativeSafetySupply.com.

19. We’re here to help.
call us toll-free:
1-866-777-1360
or visit us online at:
creativesafetysupply.com

20. The leaders in visual safety.