Control of Hazardous Energy Sources (Lockout/Tagout)
This MIOSHA standard establishes minimum requirements for the lockout/tagout of energy sources for the protection of employees in, on, or around machines, equipment, or a process during repair, maintenance, and associated activities, from injury due to unexpected/unintended motion, energization, start-up or release of stored energy from the machine, equipment, or process. (Lockout is the placement of a lockout device, such as a lock, on an energy-isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, ensuring that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled cannot be operated until the lockout device is removed. Tagout is the placement of a tagout device, such as a tag and means of attachment, on an energy-isolating device… until the tagout device is removed.)
An employer must establish an Energy Control Program — consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performs any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, start up or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source, and rendered inoperative.
Common examples of when lockout/tagout procedures should be used:
- Maintenance or repair work on equipment with moving parts, including boilers
- Clearing blocked or jammed mechanisms
- Certain confined space entries
- Repairs on or installation of electrical circuits
- Cleaning equipment when upper body, arm, fingers, etc., are exposed to a hazard
Two sources of help are available to employers in establishing an effective lock-out program: the On-Site Consultation program or the Traditional Consultative Services of the Safety, Education and Training Division. Each is designed to offer professional safety training, not only in lock-out requirements but all areas of on-the-job safety as well. To find out about these services, please call 517-322-1809.