What is Lockout Tagout? Energy Control
By R.W. Hurst, Editor
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Lockout Tagout is a critical safety procedure that protects workers by controlling hazardous energy during equipment servicing. It ensures proper shutdown, isolation, and secure tagging to prevent accidental startup and electrical hazards.
What is Lockout Tagout?
Lockout Tagout (LOTO) is a safety system that prevents accidental machine startup and energy release during maintenance.
✅ Isolates electrical, mechanical, and other hazardous energy sources
✅ Uses locks and tags to secure equipment and warn personnel
✅ Ensures compliance with OSHA and NFPA 70E safety standards
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Lockout Tagout in Practice
The process typically involves five critical steps: identifying energy sources, shutting down equipment, applying lockout devices, attaching warning tags, and verifying that energy has been isolated. Authorized employees apply locks and tags, while affected employees are trained to recognize and respect them. These steps ensure that equipment remains safely disabled until maintenance is complete and locks are removed by the same worker who applied them.
Learn More About Lockout Tagout
This short definition provides a basic overview, but a complete understanding requires a deeper look at procedures, standards, and training requirements.
For a comprehensive guide, visit our Lockout Tagout Pillar page.
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