What is the OSHA standard for control of hazardous energy source?
The OSHA standard for The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout), Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Part 1926.64, addresses the practices and procedures necessary to process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals. This section contains requirements for preventing or minimizing the consequences of catastrophic releases of toxic, reactive, flammable, or explosive chemicals. These releases may result in toxic, fire or explosion hazards.
Part 1926.417, addresses the practices and procedures necessary to perform the locking out and tagging of circuits. This section includes the handling of controls, equipment and circuits, and proper use of tags.
Part 1926.702, addresses the requirements for equipment and tools for concrete and masonry construction.
How can you protect workers?
The lockout/tagout standard establishes the employer's responsibility to protect employees from hazardous energy sources on machines and equipment during service and maintenance.The standard gives each employer the flexibility to develop an energy control program suited to the needs of the particular workplace and the types of machines and equipment being maintained or serviced. This is generally done by affixing the appropriate lockout or tagout devices to energy-isolating devices and by de-energizing machines and equipment. The standard outlines the steps required to do this.
What do employees need to know?
Employees need to be trained to ensure that they know, understand, and follow the applicable provisions of the hazardous energy control procedures. The training must cover at least three areas: aspects of the employer's energy control program; elements of the energy control procedure relevant to the employee's duties or assignment; and the various requirements of the OSHA standards related to lockout/tagout.
The Lockout Process
The 7 step process that should be followed in order to safely lockout equipment and machinery:
STEP 1. PREPARE FOR SHUTDOWN
Get all required tools Lockout Tagout (LOTO) gear and repair materials ready
STEP 2. NOTIFY AFFECTED WORKERS
The machine is being locked out.
STEP 3. SHUTDOWN THE EQUIPMENT
Use the normal shut down procedure.
STEP 4. ISOLATE THE EQUIPMENT
Find all energy sources and turn them off or physically secure them to prevent movement.
STEP 5. APPLY LOCKOUT DEVICES AND PADLOCKS
One lock per energy source for each Authorized worker.
STEP 6. RELEASE STORED ENERGY
Bleed, purge or ground systems - see LOTO procedure for details.
STEP 7. VERIFICATION OF A ZERO ENERGY CONDITION
Test controls for any remaining operational energy sources and returns control to the "off" position.
The most frequently cited safety and health violations for the fiscal year by federal OSHA staff.
1. Fall Protection, 1926.501 (C)
2. Hazard Communication, 1910.1200
3. Scaffolds, 1926.451 (C)
4. Respiratory Protection 191.134
5. Lockout/Tagout, 1910.147
6. Powered Industrial Trucks, 1910.178
7. Ladders, 1926.1053 (C)
8. Machine Guarding, 1910.212
9. Machine Guarding Electrical Wiring, 1910.305
10. Electrical, General Requirements, 1910.303
The information provided herein is intended as a basic summary of certain rules, regulations, and standards. It is not intended to be an official, legal, safety-related or comprehensive interpretation of any such rules, regulations or standards or an exhaustive list of the rules and regulations that may have been changed and/or otherwise apply to your business operations. You should always rely on your own review, evaluation, and interpretation of rules, regulations, and standards affecting your business. It is an individual and/or an employer’s obligation to comply with all applicable rules, regulations, and standards. The information provided herein should not be interpreted as an endorsement or guarantee of performance of any products identified in the materials.