Citation

No Author(s) Listed. AFE Facil. Eng. J. 2006; 33(4): 21-22.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Association for Facilities Engineering)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The important role played by proper training and Lockout/tagout technique in preventing industrial accidents is discussed. Lockout/ tagout is a procedure to disable equipment to protect workers from either an unexpected release of energy or an accidental start-up while performing job activities. During lockout/tagout, a person authorized by the company locks and /or tags on energy-isolating devices such as mechanical appliances, and circuit breakers used to stop energy being released to equipment, before working on equipment, and only that person can remove those locks and tags. This technique is required during servicing or performing maintenance on equipment and should be performed in three phases: applying lockout/tagout, servicing, and repairing. Lockout is usually accomplished with a keyed lock holding an isolating devices in an 'off' position, while tagout uses tags to warn people that the equipment and isolating device may not be operated.