7.22 Lock Out and Tag Out Program
Approval: / Revision Date:
POLICY:
VITA is committed to implement a Lock Out/Tag Out program to ensure the safety of all employees and members. This Programestablishes the necessary requirements for the lockout/tagout of energy isolating devices and is intended to eliminate the potential of unexpected start up of equipment.
All employees who are performing any servicing, maintenance or repair of equipment (primarily maintenance staff workers) must ensure that lock out/tag out procedures are followed before starting the work. Due to the nature of our business, it is highly unlikely that VITA staff (other than maintenance staff) will operate equipment that will require lock out and/or tag out procedures.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy and following procedures is to ensure that all employees are able to work in compliance with section 76 of the Industrial Establishments Regulation (O. Reg. 851). Section 76 concerns with the prevention of equipment start up while being maintained or adjusted.
Past experiences throughout industry have demonstrated that the accidental activation of equipment while people are working on, or near, them has been a major contributing factor to occupational injuries and fatalities. These sources of power may include, but are not limited to, electricity, pneumatic, hydraulic, and gravity.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
It is the standard belief that management and all staff are expected to participate and support this program. Responsibilities are identified in the following processes to ensure that the accidentally start up of equipment while servicing has been eliminated. The goal of the procedures detailed in this program will assist in the prevention of accidental machinery start-up and resulting injuries. However, to achieve the highest level of safety in this regard, your cooperation is essential.
If there is a discrepancy in compliance, discipline will be adhered to in relations to the Disciplinary Procedures outlined in the Employee Policy and Procedures Manual.
PROCEDURES:
Program Requirements
Failure to lockout/tagout machinery before working on it is a major cause of serious injury and death. Employees can be electrocuted or lose fingers, hands and arms or suffer severe crushing injuries because machinery is inadvertently turned on while it is being maintained, repaired or adjusted. These injuries can be prevented by using an effective Lock out/Tag out program.
Lockout/Tagout means that any energy source, whether it is electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, compressed air or any other source that might cause unexpected movement, must be disengaged or blocked and electrical sources must be de-energized and LOCKED or positively sealed in the OFF position. However, even a locked-out machine may not be safe if there are parts of that machine that are not BLOCKED to prevent inadvertent movement.
SECTION A:Established procedure for Lockout/Tagout
Shall be done in the following sequence:
- Preparation for Shutdown
Before an authorized or affected employee turns off a machine or equipment, the authorized employee shall have knowledge of the type and magnitude of the energy, the hazard of the energy to be controlled, and the method or means to control the energy. This employee should refer to the Assessment Survey for the types of energy source for the equipment or machinery and de-energize the equipment or machinery as prescribed by the Assessment. If the equipment has not been assessed and clarity to the proper de-energizing practice is required, the supervisor will instruct the employee on the proper de-energizing methodology.
- Machine or Equipment Shutdown
The machine or equipment shall be turned off or shut down. Always use the “Left-Hand” rule when opening a disconnect switch and/or shutdown electrical panel switch.
- Machine or Equipment Isolation
Machines can have more than one energy source.All energy isolating devices that are needed to control the energy to the machine or equipment shall be physically located and operated in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source(s).
- Lockout/Tagout Device Application
a)Lockout/Tagout devices shall be affixed to each energy-isolating device byauthorized employees.
b)Lockout/Tagout devices, where used, shall be affixed in a manner that will hold the energy-isolating device in a "safe" or "off" position.
EVERY EMPLOYEE WORKING ON EQUIPMENT OR MACHINERY SHALL DE-ENERGIZE THE EQUIPMENT OR MACHINERY PRIOR TO WORK
- Stored Energy
a)Following the application of lockout/tagout devices to energy isolating devices, all potentially hazardous stored or residue energy shall be relieved, disconnected, restrained, and otherwise rendered safe.
b)If there is a possibility of reaccumulation of stored energy to a hazardous level, verification of isolation shall be continued until the servicing or maintenance is completed, or until the possibility of such accumulation no longer exists.
- Verification of Isolation
Prior to starting work on machines or equipment, that have been locked out or tagged out; the authorized employee shall verify that isolation and de-energization of the machine or equipment have been accomplished.
SECTION B:Fine Adjustment
In situations in which lockout or tagout devices must be temporarily removed from the energy isolating device and the machine or equipment energized to test or position the machine, equipment, the following sequence of actions shall be followed:
1.Clear the machine or equipment of tools and
2.Remove employees from the machine or equipment
3.Remove the lockout or tag out devices
4.Energize and proceed with testing or positioning
5.De-energize all systems and reapply lockout or tagout devices to continue the servicing and/or maintenance.
SECTION C:Completion of Lock Out/Tag Out
Before lockout or tagout devices are removed and energy is restored to the machine or equipment, procedures shall be followed and actions taken by the authorized employee(s) to ensure the following:
1.The Machine or Equipment. The work area shall be inspected to ensure that nonessential items have been removed and to ensure that machine or equipment components are operationally intact.
2.Lockout or Tag out Device Removal. Each lockout or tagout device shall be removed from each energy-isolating device by the employee who applied the device.
3.Returning Equipment or Machinery to Supervisor. Once the job has been completed the authorized employee shall inform the supervisor of the location.
SECTION D:Unfinished Work
Where the job requiring the use of a lock out procedure is not finished during the shift, all locks, tags and other devices must remain in place.
An employee who will be relieved by another employee to complete the work can only remove their lock only after the second employee who is relieving the first employee has already placed their lock and tags onto the equipment to ensure the equipment or machinery remains de-energized.
Where an employee has left for the day and left their lock on the equipment then every attempt must be made to contact this employee to return back to remove their lock. At no time shall a lock and/or other lock devices can be cut off.
SECTION E:Outside Servicing Personnel
Where contractors and/or other outside workers are involved with the work in progress on company property, they will be expected to comply with this program. They will be provided with a VITA's Lockout/Tagout procedure and appropriate lockout/tagout devices. Before work commences, all personnel involved will agree on procedures and devices to be used for lock out.
TRAINING:
Training shall be provided to ensure that the purpose and function of the LockOut/Tag out Program are understood by employees and that the authorized employees have the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of energy controls.
All employees and supervisors that are impacted by this program will be instructed in the safety significance and use of the Lock Out/Tag Out Program. A new or transferred employee will be instructed in the safety significance and use of the Lock Out/Tag out Program.
Authorized Employees to Perform Lockout/Tagout. Employee authorized to perform lockout/tagout will be trained in the following:
1.Types of machinery and equipment requiring lockout/tag out
2.Recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources
3.Tracing energy sources
4.Shut down procedures
5.Isolation and control of energy sources
6.How to blockout equipment
7.Lock out procedures
8.Tag out procedures
9.Testing for zero energy
10.Restoring equipment to service
11.Procedure involving more than one person
12.Hands on lockout/tag out practice
13.Procedures to be followed when lock out cannot be used
Retraining shall be provided for all authorized personnel and affected employees whenever there is a change in their job assignments, a change in machines, equipment or processes that present a new hazard, or when there is a change in the Lock Out/Tag Out Program.
Additional retraining shall also be conducted whenever the organization has reason to believe that there are deviations from or inadequacies in the employee's knowledge and use of Lock Out/Tag out Program Procedures.
The retraining shall reestablish employee proficiency and introduce new or revised control methods and procedures.
Frequency of Training
Every employee will be trained upon initial assignment and every three years thereafter.
CONTROL:
Equipment Survey Assessment
A survey of equipment and machinery will be conducted to identify all energy sources. This mustbe done by physical inspection, possibly in combination with a study of drawings and equipment manuals. The completed survey assessment will be recorded on form LOTO.001 and must be signed by a competent individual and made available to all staff and contractors.
Lockout devices
In the event that a piece of equipment needs to be locked, staff will be provided with three locks and tags. Lockout devices and tagout devices shall be singularly identified, shall be the only device(s) used for controlling energy, shall not be used for other purposes; and shall meet the following requirements:
- Durable and Standardized
- Substantial
- Identifiable
a.Lockout devices and tagout devices shall indicate the identity of the employee applying the device(s).
b.Tagout devices shall warn against hazardous conditions if the machine or equipment is energized and shall include a legend such as the following: Do Not Start, Do Not Open, Do Not Close, Do Not Energize or Do Not Operate.
Locks
If the equipment requires a lock, each worker will have his/her own lock and the only key to that lock. The lock should be substantial and durable, and should have the name of the employee on it. In addition, locks can be color-coded to indicate different shifts or types of crafts. When more than one worker is servicing a piece of equipment that must be locked out, a lockout adaptor can be used which allows all the workers to place their locks on the disconnecting means. After the work is completed, each worker removes his/her lock and the machine is then returned to service.
Tags
Use tags or signs in addition to locks. Tags must state the:
- Reason for the lockout
- Name of the employee who is working on the equipment and how that person may be reached
- Date and time the tag was put in place
DEFINITIONS:
Affected Employee
An employee whose job requires him/her to operate or use a machine or equipment on which servicing or maintenance is being performed under lockout or tagout, or whose job requires him/her to work in an area in which such servicing or maintenance is being performed.
Authorized Employee
A person who locks or implements a tagout system procedure on machines or equipment to perform the servicing or maintenance of that machine or equipment. An authorized employee and an affected employee may be the same person when the affected employee's duties also include performing maintenance or service on a machine or equipment, which must be locked, or a tagout system implemented.
Energized
Connected to an energy source or containing residual or stored energy.
Energy Isolating Device
A mechanical device that physically prevents the transmission or release of energy. The term does not include a push button, selector switch, and other control circuit device.
Energy Source
Any source of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other energy.
LockOut
The placement of a lockout device on an energy-isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, ensuring that the energy-isolating device cannot be operated until the lockout device is removed.
LockOut Device
A device that utilizes a positive means such as a lock, either key or combination type, to hold an energy isolating device in the safe position and prevent the energizing of a machine or equipment.
Locked Out
Locked out means the use of devices, positive methods and procedures, which will result in the effective isolation or securing of prime movers, machinery and equipment from mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, electrical, thermal or other energy sources.
Participant
Participant shall mean any other person(s) engaged in the repair, adjustment, testing, or setting up operation in addition to the qualified operator or craftsman having control of the machine operating station.
Servicing and/or Maintenance
Workplace activities such as constructing, installing, setting up, adjusting, inspecting, modifying, and maintaining and/or servicing machines or equipment. These activities include lubrication, cleaning or unjamming or machines or equipment and making adjustments or tool changes, where the employee may be exposed to the unexpected energization or start up of the equipment or release of hazardous energy.
Setting Up
Any work performed to prepare a machine or equipment to perform its normal production operation.
TagOut
The placement of a tagout device on an energy-isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, to indicate that the energy-isolating device and the equipment being controlled may not be operated until the tagout device is removed.
TagOut Device
A prominent warning device, such as a tag and a means of attachment, which can be securely, fastened to an energy-isolating device in accordance with an established procedure, to indicate that the energy-isolating device and the equipment being controlled may not be operated until the tagout device is removed.
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