OSHA 1910.147 Explained
Understanding OSHA 1910.147: Ensuring Safe Energy Control
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) established the standard for controlling hazardous energy, often referred to as lockout/tagout, to prevent accidents when workers perform servicing or maintenance on machines or equipment. This standard addresses the risks associated with unexpected energization or startup of machines and the release of stored or residual energy, protecting workers from injury.
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What is OSHA 1910.147, and Why is it Important?
OSHA 1910.147 is a critical regulation for controlling hazardous energy during servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment. Its main goal is to protect workers from injuries caused by the accidental release of hazardous energy. Workers who perform servicing or maintenance on energized parts are at risk of encountering electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other energy sources. These energy sources can present potentially hazardous energy that may result in injury if not properly controlled.
Employers must implement lockout/tagout procedures, which involve energy isolating devices and lockout devices or tagout devices to control hazardous energy. Proper procedures prevent the unintended startup of machines or release of energy that could injure workers.
Who Must Comply with OSHA 1910.147?
Compliance with OSHA 1910.147 applies to any employer whose workers perform servicing or maintenance on a piece of equipment or machinery. This includes employees in industries such as power generation, transmission, and distribution, where workers regularly encounter controlled hazardous energy. Employees who attempt to perform the control of hazardous energy lockout/tagout must be trained in proper procedures to minimize the risks associated with hazardous energy sources.
What Are Lockout and Tagout Procedures Under OSHA 1910.147?
Lockout and tagout procedures are crucial elements in controlling hazardous energy. Lockout devices are physical devices that prevent the unexpected energization of equipment by isolating energy sources. These devices are placed on energy isolating devices, such as circuit breakers, valves, or switches, to prevent the start-up of the machines.
Tagout devices, while less physically restrictive, involve placing a warning tag on energy isolating devices to signal that the equipment should not be energized. Although less secure than lockout devices, tagout procedures still play an important role in warning workers of the potential hazards.
Both methods ensure that the method or release of stored energy is safely controlled, reducing the risk of injury to workers performing maintenance or servicing.
What Types of Energy Sources Does OSHA 1910.147 Cover?
OSHA 1910.147 covers a wide range of hazardous energy sources, including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, and other types of energy. The regulation ensures that all energy types are addressed in energy control procedures. This includes both the primary energy sources and any stored or residual energy that could still pose a risk even after the equipment is de-energized.
For instance, a piece of equipment that uses hydraulic pressure could retain stored energy even after the machine is turned off. To ensure safety, energy control procedures must account for these hazards and the type and magnitude of energy that could be encountered.
What Training is Required Under OSHA 1910.147?
Training is a fundamental part of OSHA 1910.147 compliance. Workers who are involved in lockout/tagout procedures must receive comprehensive training on controlling hazardous energy. This includes understanding the types of energy sources they may encounter, such as electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, or thermal energy.
Workers must also be trained on the proper use of lockout devices, tagout devices, and energy isolating devices to ensure they can safely manage potentially hazardous energy. Training should also include instruction on identifying energy sources, how to isolate and lock them out, and procedures for verifying that the energy is effectively controlled before performing servicing or maintenance.
Periodic re-training is also required to ensure workers remain knowledgeable and comply with the latest safety protocols. This is especially important when changes are made to the equipment or energy control procedures.
In conclusion, OSHA 1910.147 is a vital standard for ensuring the safety of workers who interact with potentially hazardous energy during servicing and maintenance tasks. By implementing strict energy control procedures and ensuring proper use of lockout/tagout devices, employers can significantly reduce the risk of injuries caused by unexpected energization or release of energy. Comprehensive training for all employees involved in these processes is essential for maintaining compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s requirements and creating a safe working environment across industries that deal with power generation, transmission, and distribution.
