How We Prioritize Safety With Lockout-Tagout

Every day, our employees work with machinery and equipment that have the potential to release stored energy, posing risks to their well-being. To protect our site personnel, we have implemented a Lock Out – Tag Out (LOTO) program, a comprehensive step-by-step process that involves communication, coordination and training.  

What Is Lockout And Tagout

At its core, LOTO comprises two distinct but interconnected processes: lockout and tagout. Lockout is the physical act of isolating energy from a system to render it safe. Simultaneously, tagout serves as a crucial form of communication – it warns employees not to energize the machinery or equipment. Together, these measures constitute a program designed to shield our personnel from potential risks associated with stored energy release.

Our Lockout-Tagout Procedure

LOTO is an intricate procedure we follow to protect our team members. It involves several steps, each crucial for the safety of everyone involved. These steps include:

1. Notifying the equipment operator and relevant personnel of the intended lockout process. This communication is essential for the safe shutdown of the equipment, ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding the status of the machinery.
2. Identify the machinery, equipment and systems where the work will be conducted. This step includes locating the appropriate switchgear.
3. Adhering to the manufacturer’s shutdown instructions to ensure that all moving parts come to a complete stop, reducing potential hazards.
4. Primary energy sources, such as electricity, steam, water, gas and compressed air, are disconnected or deactivated. Additionally, all secondary energy sources are isolated and we also consider the possibility of multiple energy sources associated with a single piece of equipment.
5. After disconnecting all energy sources, we thoroughly verify the lockout by attempting to start or “bump” the equipment to ensure no personnel will be harmed, further emphasizing our commitment to safety.
6. A lockout tagout device is attached to the equipment to prevent unauthorized activation. These devices act as physical barriers, ensuring that the equipment cannot be started without their removal.
7. Upon task completion, the machinery or equipment can be safely restarted after removing all tools and materials. Our practice involves having the individual who applied the lock present during the restart to mitigate potential risks.

Our LOTO process is not just placing a lock on a switch. It’s a comprehensive safety system that requires careful planning, communication and adherence to strict procedures. We are committed to the safety of our employees, and our LOTO program is a testament to this commitment. If you share our passion for safety, consider joining our family. Explore our career opportunities today; we promise that the experience will be nothing short of fulfilling.