Lockout Saves Lives

Your company has a written procedure for conducting lockouts.  All employees who are involved with lockout must receive training.  Those who will perform the lockout are taught to identify all power sources and immobilize them. 

First, all affected workers are informed a lockout is about to take place.

The machinery is switched off at all power sources and locks are applied to all controls.

The controls are then tested to make sure the equipment will not move and are switched off again.

After the maintenance or other work is completed, all tools and materials are removed.  When all workers are safely out of the danger zone and bystanders are warned, the machinery is unlocked and returned to service.

When more than one worker will be inside the machine, each puts on a lock that cannot be opened by anyone else. 

The purpose of a lockout is to make sure the equipment does not start up while someone is in the danger zone.  Failure to lock out is a factor in many workplace injuries and fatalities.