Lock Out Tag Out Training
What is Lock Out Tag Out Training?
Lock out Tag out Training is a type of safety method to ensure all machinery is turned off and safe for employees to work on it. The LOTO standard requires the adoption and implementation of procedures to shut down equipment, disconnect energy sources, and prevent the release of hazardous energy while maintenance is being performed.
DOES MY COMPANY NEED LOTO TRAINING?
Workers and employees who are working on equipment and may be exposed to the unexpected startup or release of hazardous energy must follow Lock Out Tag Out Training procedures. Lock Out Tag Out methods are required when constructing, installing, adjusting, inspecting, modifying, maintaining equipment, servicing machines or equipment, lubricating, cleaning or unjamming, and making adjustments or tool changes, where employees could be exposed to the unexpected energization or startup of the equipment or release of hazardous energy. Any servicing to equipment whose energy source is one of the following requires LOTO training:
Mechanical Energy
Hydraulic Energy
Pneumatic Energy
Chemical Energy
Thermal Energy
Potential Energy
WHY DO EMPLOYEES NEED TO BE TRAINED?
Everyone working on or near these machines need to understand the purpose of the Lock Out Tag Out method. Without proper knowledge of the LOTO method, employees may lack the skills necessary for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines three different types of employees.
1
Authorized employees- these employees must receive training on the recognition of hazardous energy sources, type and magnitude of energy in the workplace, and the methods necessary for energy isolation and control.
2
Affected Employees- these employees must receive training on the purpose and use of the energy control procedures.
3
Other employees- anyone whose work activities may be in an area where energy control procedures may be utilized. This includes restarting machines that are locked or tagged out.
When Do Employees Need to be Retrained?
Employees should be retrained when there are changes to the current procedures. This may include a change in job assignments, change in machines, change in energy control procedures, inspections reveal deviations from energy control procedure, or when the employer believes there are inadequacies in the employees knowledge. In the latter case, training is needed to reestablish proficiency or introduce new control methods.