Industrial environments rely on many types of hazardous energy sources – electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, gravitational, pressurised systems, and more – to power heavy machinery and processes. Unexpected activation or release of these dangerous energies cause worker injuries and fatalities every year during maintenance, cleaning, and repairs. Establishing energy control procedures, also referred to as lockout tagged out, safeguards employees by isolating equipment from its power source before non-routine tasks.
Written Energy Control Procedures
Formalise isolation protocols by creating specific written procedures covering each machine and unique situation. Include step-by-step instructions like:
- shutting powered systems fully down by function or power type.
- methods to isolate and deactivate with air breaks, blocks, bleeds, etc. based on individual unit configurations.
- proper lock and tag placement by energy point to prevent reactivation.
- verifying effectiveness by attempting restarts after isolation.
- safely restoring power afterwards.
Reassess whenever modifying equipment, control systems, alarms, or e-stops. Provide authorised employees task-specific plans for reference and reinforce proper protocols through initial operator training and refresher updates.
Hardware Considerations
Equip hazardous energy control points with hasps, anchors, or attachment points to secure locks physically and standardise lock types across the facility’s inventory. Assign and track keys so that each worker has their own for tagging personal points of control.
Use tags with clear warnings like danger, do not start, do not energise, do not operate, or similar prohibitive language. Attach personalised tags and locks at every cut off juncture, including panels, overrides, valves, switches, and individual circuit breakers related to isolating equipment – not just primary disconnects. Implement tag-out systems even without lockables. Designate reserved lockout stations stocked for specific applications. Utilise lockable caps on valves, switches and taps following isolation.
For complex initiatives, consider lock boxes. These allow all parties securing access over shifts to place their own locks. A master key is temporarily held inside the box through the project’s duration until all locks are removed together upon safe restoration by each responsible key holder.
Group Lockout Procedures
Coordinate isolation for extensive systems with multiple power inputs and team tasks. Define lead responsibilities and sequential steps. Communicate which machines are affected. Account for variables like remote starting or automated program cycles. Have everyone in the repair crew lock individually at each break point after double checking for effectiveness. Compile thorough sign in/out logs tracking who locks down what point when as well as who ultimately removes each lock later. Cross check continuity before reactivation.
Inspection and Verification
Perform regular audits and inspections of the energy control procedures beyond compliance documentation alone to assess reliability of isolation equipment like valves, disconnections and lock stations as well as responsible utilisation by authorised personnel. Analyse any gaps, shortcomings or inconsistencies found and implement corrective steps like retraining, upgrading fixtures, or revising written protocols.
Emergency Restoration Preparedness
While following lockout tag-out practices greatly reduces exposure to uncontrolled energies, residual danger remains in industrial settings. Unexpected situational developments, like fire response, may necessitate rapid emergency restoration to power before completing repairs in order to prevent bigger losses. Prepare contingency instructions for releasing specific equipment from lockouts safely in advance as part of the standard procedures – include how to have workers evacuate quickly and forbid re-entry upon reactivation.
Test restored systems before allowing normal operation. Learn from near misses to fill gaps that could allow future uncontrolled startups or activations during transitions.
Contractors and Outside Servicers
Extend hazardous energy control protections to outside contractors by providing site-specific procedures before authorising any work. Escort visitors and supplemental labour through client lockout tag-out requirements, including individual lock assignments reinforcing complete isolation control and accountability. Supply external crews copies of your written programs and hardware if lacking their own. Discuss scope of work plus associated machinery connections. Monitor shorter term service work and obtain detailed debriefs about any systems meddled with or shut down.
Mobile Powered Equipment Safety
Forklifts, lifts, and other portable industrial vehicles undergo frequent operator trade-offs. Secure keys removed individually by each driver after powering down and securing brakes – never left on board or unattended in vehicles to avoid unapproved use. Implement secondary lockout measures like wheel chocks, battery disconnects and fuel valve locks whenever conducting maintenance or repairs on mobile equipment.
Conclusion
Regular inspection, testing and diligent control of hazardous energy sources using the lockout tag-out procedures detailed here – the isolation of equipment, confirmation of deactivation, plus consistent use of locks, tags, and worker authorisation – make industrial job sites drastically safer. Reinforce adherence through ongoing employee education. Report close calls or inconsistent application. Continually fine tune procedures to protect workers within evolving settings; specification documents should be living standards subject to modification reflecting improvements for greater reliability and closure of response gaps. Safety managers must champion effective isolation protocols company wide. A comprehensive energy control program fosters a culture focused on safety above all else.
