Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)

According to the OSHA website, "Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)" refers to specific practices and procedures to safeguard employees from the unexpected energization or startup of machinery and equipment, or the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance activities.

Compliance with the lockout/tagout standard (29 CFR 1910.147) prevents an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries each year. Workers injured on the job from exposure to hazardous energy lose an average of 24 workdays for recuperation.

In a study conducted by the United Auto Workers (UAW), 20% of the fatalities (83 of 414) that occurred among their members between 1973 and 1995 were attributed to inadequate hazardous energy control procedures specifically, lockout/tagout procedures.

OSHA has developed a Lockout-Tagout Interactive Training Program to expand your knowledge of the LOTO standard.

The program has three major components. You can go through these components at your own pace and in any sequence:

• Tutorial: Explains the standard in a question/answer format.
• Hot topics: Contains five abstracts with a detailed discussion of major issues. Relevant highlighted sections of the all-inclusive documents are linked here.
• Interactive case studies: Seven simulated LOTO inspections are presented. You will be making decisions on the application of the LOTO standard, based on information presented on the screen.

The OSHA Lockout-Tagout Interactive Training Program may be found in its entirety at the OSHA Website. It explains what a job hazard analysis is and offers guidelines to help you conduct your own step-by-step analysis.

For more information about Lockout-Tagout services, or to discuss your machine safeguarding needs, please contact me at fschmidt@lovegreen.com or by calling me at 800-262-8284.

Sincerely,

Frank Schmidt

http://www.lovegreen.com/