lockout tagout for flash master5 Steps for Setting Up Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) for Flash Masters
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lockout tagout for flash master5 Steps for Setting Up Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) for Flash Masters

Not sure who should participate in lockout tagout procedures? This article provides a simple overview of the roles and responsibilities in lockout tagout procedures.

Lockout tagout is an essential safety measure in many industries. However, if done incorrectly, it can become a real danger to those involved. As a result, it is imperative that personnel understand what lockout tagout is, how it functions, and only get involved if they are needed. In this article we will review lockout tagout procedures along with the roles in LOTO, so that you can know your place and maximize safety in your work environment.

lockout tagout procedures on a machine

What Is a Lockout Tagout Procedure?

A lockout tagout procedure is a set of instructions that provide an authorized employee with adequate information to safely perform LOTO. These procedures should be machine-specific and typically provide information about how to identify and isolate energy sources, pointers about applying LOTO devices, steps for machine shutdown, and return to service steps. When conducted properly, lockout tagout procedures allow workers to safely conduct work on machinery and equipment by controlling any and all hazardous energy.

Roles in Lockout Tagout

Lockout tagout procedures impact both those who are performing them as well as others in the facility. Because of this, employees who work in an environment that requires lockout tagout can fall into 4 categories: Management, authorized employees, affected employees, and others.

As a leader, managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that employees are trained, assignments are made, and that tasks are completed. 

Responsibilities of Managers/Supervisors: 

  • Ensuring that all staff they oversee is appropriately trained. 
  • Assigning personnel to perform necessary tasks, including lockout tagout procedures and periodic inspections.
  • Creating and following a maintenance schedule for machinery. 
  • Cultivating a safety culture among the team. 
  • Verifying that procedures are fully completed and documented correctly.

Authorized employees are individuals who have received proper training and have been designated to perform lockout or tagout procedures on specific equipment.

Responsibilities of Authorized employees:

  • Notifying both affected and other employees before starting any lockout tagout procedures/maintenance activities on equipment.
  • Performing LOTO procedures.
  • Removing locks/tags/LOTO devices from machinery when a procedure is complete and the machine is ready to be returned to service.
  • Conducting routine periodic inspections to ensure that procedures are effective and workers can do them properly. 
  • Be familiar with current lockout tagout regulations (OSHA 1910.147 & ANSI z244.1). 
  • Understand the purpose and scope of the safety program along with specific procedures for each piece of equipment they work on.

Affected employees are not authorized to perform any lockout tagout procedures themselves. Generally, their work is impacted by the machine/equipment shutdown, therefore requiring them to be notified before any lockout tagout procedures are initiated. 

Responsibilities of Affected employees: 

  • Communicate with Authorized employees to understand when equipment is being worked on, how long it will be out of commission, and when it will be returned to normal operations. 
  • Perform their work to the best of their ability, considering needed adjustments for lockout tagout. 
  • Know the purpose and importance of lockout tagout procedures. 
  • Abide by the OSHA rules of compliance by not attempting to restart, re-energize, or add/remove any locks or tags from equipment.

Other employees are the individuals who work in areas/facilities where lockout tagout procedures are being used, but who aren’t largely impacted by procedures being performed. They need to be aware of lockout tagout for safety, but don’t really play a part in procedures occurring. 

Responsibilities of Other employees: 

  • Perform their work to the best of their ability, considering needed adjustments for lockout tagout. 
  • Know the purpose and importance of procedures.
  • Abide by the OSHA rules of compliance by not attempting to restart, re-energize, or add/remove any locks or tags from equipment.
  • Be situationally aware, especially in surroundings where lockout tagout is being conducted.

Who Needs to Be Involved?

When it comes to LOTO, authorized employees are the only people who should ever actually perform lockout tagout procedures and apply/remove the locks, tags, or other LOTO devices. 

However, safety isn’t a single individual’s responsibility or problem. Many others are involved in creating a safe environment. 

Here are ways that individuals might be involved in lockout tagout procedures: 

  • Safety Managers: Leadership should be involved by making lockout tagout procedure assignments, overseeing that those procedures are done correctly, and verifying that procedures are properly documented. 
  • Affected Employees: These workers need to communicate with authorized employees to know when their machinery has been returned to service and they can resume their normal work.
  • Other Employees: It is important for workers who are near LOTO but not directly impacted by it to understand what lockout tagout is and refrain from touching or interfering with any of the procedures.

It’s also important to note that group lockout tagout procedures generally require the involvement of more people than traditional procedures. Typically there is a bit more involvement from supervisors along with more than one authorized employee working on the equipment.

workers talking together during a lockout tagout procedure

Conclusion

In the workplace, safety needs to be a goal that everyone is striving for. However, when it comes to LOTO, performing lockout tagout procedures is a job that needs to be overseen by leadership and conducted by authorized employees. Personnel whose work is affected by procedures should stay aware of the situation, but restrain from getting involved. By abiding by these guidelines, those who need to be involved can get the job done safely and efficiently, creating a more secure work environment.

lockout tagout procedures on a machine