Effective lockout/tagout programs are possible if certain criteria are met. Missing just one step of OSHA’s LOTO program could place employees in real danger risking either severe bodily harm or even death. Just imagine working on a piece of hazardous equipment and someone unknowingly starts the equipment while you are directly under the point of operation, the results could be catastrophic. In order to stop the potential…
Tony Ferraro | July 5, 2013 | Safety Solutions | Lockout Tagout, OSHA, Regulations & Compliance, Safety
Believe it or not, it is fairly easy to avoid citations regarding lockout/tagout or LOTO procedures. However, despite the simplistic nature of enacting and following an effective LOTO plan, an estimated 50,000 injuries and 120 fatalities are reported each year. This is simply unacceptable. There is some sort of glitch in the system with so many LOTO-related accidents. One of the main culprits could be communication paired…
Tony Ferraro | July 3, 2013 | Safety Solutions | Lockout Tagout, OSHA, Safety, Valve Tags
The job responsibilities of a supervisor are critical when it comes to the enforcement of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures. Here we will outline some of the main responsibilities of the supervisor regarding lockout/tagout. Create Equipment-Specific LOTO Procedures: This is a big component of LOTO safety. The lockout/tagout plan created by the supervisor must follow all OSHA-specific guidelines and still be specific to the types of equipment overseen. All components…
Tony Ferraro | July 2, 2013 | Safety Solutions | Lockout Tagout, OSHA, Regulations & Compliance, Safety
While the term Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) is often used as one to describe an overall program, there are critical differences between using locks (lockout) and tags (tagout) in terms of how employees should be trained and the relative safety of each.The use of LOTO devices is an essential component of a well-functioning LOTO program. While both lockout and tagout should be part of your overall LOTO procedure, employers…
Tony Ferraro | July 1, 2013 | Safety Solutions | Lockout Tagout, Workplace Safety
Lockout Tagout, or simply LOTO, is a safety practice that protects employees and visitors from uncontrolled hazardous energy that may escape from machines or equipment during isolation or servicing. When potentially hazardous equipment is identified for maintenance, it will be placed on LOTO which includes adding a visual lock and tag to the energy isolation points. The lock and tag not only create a barrier to prohibit…
Mike Wilson | April 30, 2013 | Safety Solutions | Electrical Safety, Lockout Tagout, Safety
What Is Lockout Tagout? The term lockout tagout, or LOTO, refers to the safety practice of shutting down dangerous equipment and preventing it from being restarted until it has been properly serviced or maintained by trained personnel. According to OSHA, hazardous energy sources can include mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, chemical, pneumatic, and thermal energy. If a machine is restarted before it has been properly serviced, hazardous energy may…
Mike Wilson | March 13, 2013 | Safety Solutions | Lockout Tagout, OSHA, Safety, Valve Tags
As a business owner who may be interested in what the possible hazards are in their workplace should review OSHA’s yearly top ten list of violations for the previous year. By doing so, the business owner can see if they are covering all potential hazards and identifying what possible changes they may have to make to provide safety for all employees including visitors and their health program.…
Mike Wilson | December 7, 2012 | Safety Solutions | Labeling, Lockout Tagout, OSHA, Safety, Workplace Safety
At its annual Congress and Expo in Orlando this year, the National Safety Council was “treated” to OSHA’s release of its top ten list of violations citations for 2012. OSHA deputy director of the Directorate of Enforcement Programs Patrick Kapust reported the list for a crowded Expo audience. Among the list of ten violations, the top three were (in order): Fall Protection, at 7,250 violations Hazard Communication,…
Mike Wilson | November 2, 2012 | Safety Solutions | Electrical Safety, Hazcom, Lockout Tagout, OSHA, Safety
