1. Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO)
AHEC
Environmental
Health and Safety
Department
Last Revised: May 2023

2. Outline
• Importance of Lock
Out/Tag Out (LOTO)
• OSHA’s Control of
Hazardous Energy
standard
• AHEC's LOTO
Program
• EH&S Assistance

3. 3
What is Lockout/Tagout?
• Control of hazardous energy - including
electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic,
chemical, thermal, or other sources
• Procedures to prevent accidental startup of
equipment that’s being serviced or repaired and
to ensure stored energy cannot be released
• Lockout – putting a lock on circuits that power
equipment
• Tagout – warns employees you’re working on
equipment and to not touch the lock

4. Hazardous Energy Sources
• Electrical
• Mechanical (i.e.
motors, drive belts)
• Chemical (i.e. natural
gas, propane)
• Thermal
• Pneumatic
• Hydraulic

5. 5
LOTO Takes out the Guesswork
• Many injuries happen when co-workers
turn on equipment that’s being worked on
• Or stored energy is released
• LOTO prevents accidents

6. 6
Leading Causes of LOTO
Injuries
• No. 1: Failure to shut off equipment
• No. 2: Failure to disconnect equipment
from power source
• No. 3: Unexpected startup
• No. 4: Failure to remove tools and debris
that can become flying projectiles, before
restarting equipment

7. OSHA’s LOTO Standard
29 CFR 1910.147
• Requires a written energy control program
that includes defined energy control
procedures
– Trouble shooting procedures
– Shift changes
• Requires documented employee training
• Requires periodic inspections at least
annually
• Requires certain equipment specifics

8. AHEC's LOTO Program
Environmental Health & Safety
Responsibilities
• Coordinate the LOTO
program;
• Training & assistance
with annual inspections;
• Maintain copies of
equipment specific lock
out procedures, annual
inspections & training
records; and
• Update & evaluate the
LOTO program annually.

9. AHEC's LOTO Program
Project Management
Responsibilities
• Notify contractors to bring their
LOTO program to
preconstruction meeting; and
• Include LOTO as an agenda item
& allow contractors & AHEC
trades or EHS. to discuss, as
needed
• Ensure an appropriate MOP is
created and reviewed by affected
trades during project work.

10. AHEC's LOTO Program
Supervisor’s Responsibilities
• Complete equipment specific LOTO procedures;
• Create MOP for multi-trade support (i.e. electrical
oversight) for all operational work
• Ensure inspection of equipment specific LOTO
procedures are completed at least annually;
• Maintain LOTO devices and supplies for employees;
• Ensure all affected employees are properly trained
on LOTO procedures;
• Enforce compliance with AHEC's LOTO program;
and
• Provide employees with copies of the LOTO
Program upon request.

11. AHEC's LOTO Program
Authorized Employee Responsibilities
• Attend EH & S’s required training;
• Follow all LOTO procedures;
• Assist supervisor’s in completing
equipment specific LOTO procedures;
• Consult supervisors when questions or
concerns arise; and
• Notify all affected employees of LOTO
activities.

12. AHEC's LOTO Program
Contractors
• Contractor & AHEC
must exchange LOTO
info
• On-site employees
must understand &
comply with the
contractor’s rules.
• Employees must be
alert & aware of any
new types of LOTO
devices.

13. LOTO Program Enforcement
• A violation of AHEC’s employee's
responsibility must be reported to the
employee's immediate supervisor for
appropriate action.
• A violation of a contractor’s responsibility
must be reported to the project manager
(or the person who hired the contractor)
for appropriate action.

14. AHEC's LOTO Program
LOTO Equipment
• Must be the ONLY devices for controlling energy and
singularly identified as such
• Must NOT be used for any other purpose
• Must be durable & withstand the environment to which
they are exposed.
• Must be standardized by color, shape or size;
• TO devices must be constructed & printed so they do not
deteriorate or become illegible;
• LO devices must be substantial enough to prevent early
or accidental removal and removal without excessive
force.

15. AHEC's LOTO Program
Equipment
• Lock out will be
accomplished
using a lock and
key. Chains, or
other hardware,
may be used in
conjunction with
the lock to isolate
the energy source.

16. AHEC's LOTO Program
Equipment
• Each shop will have a
specific color lock.
Each lock will be
keyed separately.
• Master keys will only
be used to remove
locks in the event the
abandoned lock
procedure must be
implemented.

17. AHEC's LOTO Program
Required TO Device Information
• An approved warning tag will accompany all
lockouts. The warning tag will be attached
directly to the lockout device by a nylon tie.
• Name of authorized employee who locked out
equipment;
• Authorized employee’s radio or phone number,
including contractors;
• Date and time of lockout; and
• Brief description of work being performed.

18. AHEC's LOTO Program
Procedures
• Preparation for
shutdown
• Shutting down the
equipment
• Equipment isolation
• Application of LOTO
devices
• Release of stored
energy
• Verifying equipment
isolation

19. AHEC's LOTO Program
Prep For Shutdown
• Create a MOP to coordinate with
other shops and/or contractors
and schedule electrical support.
• Know the types and amounts of
energy that power specific
equipment
• Know the hazards of that energy
• Know how the energy can be
controlled – review equipment
specific procedures if necessary
• Direct any questions to immediate
supervisor

20. AHEC's LOTO Program
Shutting Down Equipment
• Notify ALL affected employees that a
LOTO procedure is being used and why.
• Shut the equipment down using operating
controls.
• Follow proper procedure for the equipment
to avoid endangering anyone during the
shutdown.

21. AHEC's LOTO Program
Energy Isolation
• LO & TO energy isolating sources with assigned
locks and tags. Usually requires locking out
electrical disconnect.
• Be sure to isolate ALL energy sources
(secondary as well as primary).

22. AHEC's LOTO Program
Application of Devices
• Use valve covers,
plug locks, etc. if the
lock can’t be placed
directly on the energy
control.
• Every employee in
the work crew must
attach their personal
lock and tag.

23. AHEC's LOTO Program
Application of Devices
A TO system alone is not acceptable at any
time unless the equipment is not capable of
being locked out.
The tag must be placed at the same location
that the lockout device would have been
attached, and additional measures must be
taken to ensure the level of safety is
equivalent to that obtained by using a lock.
This includes: blocking of a controlling switch,
removal of an isolating circuit element,
opening of an extra disconnect device, or
removal of a valve handle ONLY.

24. AHEC's LOTO Program
Release of Stored Energy
• Inspect the system to
make sure all parts have
stopped moving.
• Disperse stored energy
(springs, hydraulic
systems, air, gas, water
pressure, or steam).
• If stored energy can build
up again, monitor it to
make certain it stays
below hazardous levels.

25. AHEC's LOTO Program
Verifying Equipment Isolation
• Make certain all
dangerous areas are
clear of personnel.
• Verify that the equipment
cannot be turned to the
“on” position. Press all
“start” buttons and
activating controls on the
equipment.
• Return all controls to the
“off” position after certain
that LO is effective.

26. AHEC's LOTO Program
Removing LOTO Devices/Restoring
Equipment
• Safeguard all employees by making
certain everyone is clear of the equipment.
Also notify affected employees of
impending re-energization.
• Verify that all tools have been removed
and all guards reinstalled.
• Remove LOTO devices. Each device must
be removed by the person who put it on.
• Energize equipment.

27. AHEC's LOTO Program
Troubleshooting
• Remove all tools & personnel from the
area.
• Notify affected employees of impending
re-energization.
• Authorized employees remove the LO
device but MUST leave tag in place.
• Energize equipment.
• When finished, de-energize & reapply LO
device.

28. AHEC's LOTO Program
Shift Changes
• If servicing lasts more than one shift, LOTO
protection CANNOT be interrupted.
• The incoming authorized employee MUST
VERIFY that ALL energy sources are locked out
and ADD their personal lock prior to beginning
work.

29. AHEC's LOTO Program
Abandoned Lock Procedure
• Verify authorized employee has left the worksite
& notify them that their lock is being removed.
• LOTO devices may ONLY be removed if
supervisor is present & authorizes removal.
• After all communication attempts are complete &
the equipment has been inspected, energy can
be restored.
• An abandoned lock procedure form must be
filled out & filed with EH&S.

30. AHEC's LOTO Program
Exceptions
• Work on cord & plug
equipment IF it is
unplugged, the plug
remains within arms reach
during servicing and
authorized employee has
exclusive control of the
plug.
• If guards aren’t removed or
bypassed & are effective in
preventing worker exposure
to hazards created by the
unexpected energization or
start up of machines or
equipment, or the release of
energy.

31. AHEC's LOTO Program
Equipment Specific LOTO
• Equipment Specific LOTO procedures must be
completed by the supervisor and/or the
authorized employee.
• All equipment specific procedures must be easily
accessible or posted directly on the equipment.
• An inspection/review will be conducted at least
annually by an authorized employee not
involved in the procedure being inspected. The
inspection will identify any deficiencies in or
deviations from the program.

32. AHEC's LOTO Program
Periodic Inspections
• For LOTO procedures on specific equipment:
– the inspector must review each authorized
employee's responsibilities under the procedure with
that employee (group meetings are acceptable).
• Where TO only is used, the inspector must
review BOTH the authorized and affected
employee's responsibilities with those
employees for the energy control procedure
being inspected.

33. AHEC's LOTO Program
Equipment Specific Procedures
Procedures must be updated when:
• New equipment is installed; or
• New energy sources are added to a facility
or individual equipment; or
• Magnitude of an energy source changes;
or
• Designated isolation points change.
• Deficiencies are noted during periodic
inspection

34. AHEC's LOTO Program
Training
• Supervisors
• Authorized
Employees
• All Affected
AHEC
Employees

35. AHEC's LOTO Program
Re-Training
• Change in authorized employee’s job assignments
or job area that contains sources of hazardous
energy;
• Change in machines, equipment or process that
presents a new hazard;
• Change in energy control procedures;
• Need for refresher training found during periodic
inspections; and/or
• Employer believes there are deviations from, or
inadequacies in, the employee’s knowledge or use
of LOTO procedures.

36. AHEC's LOTO Program
EH&S Assistance
• Our department will provide assistance
with equipment specific procedures,
periodic inspections and training.
• Contact EH&S, at 6-8397 for departmental
consultation.

37. 37
Summary
• Remember LOTO basic procedures:
– Notify employees
– Identify power sources
– Disconnect power
– Apply locks, tags
– Drain stored energy
– Test equipment