The Importance of a Lockout/Tagout System in India

Even if the safety of your employees and customers are an absolute top priority, your business may still be at risk in the event of an accident or workplace injury. That’s why it’s so important to have a lockout/tagout (loto) system in place that can protect you from being exposed to financial liability or even personal liability in the event of an injury on your property. Read on to learn more about how this can help you, as well as some tips for implementing one in your business or workplace!

What is a Lockout/Tagout system?
A lockout and tagout system is an important safety measure for preventing workplace injuries. It helps to remove or isolate the hazard before the worker can be removed from the area. In other words, it is used to stop dangerous equipment from operating while someone is working on it. So, if you’re not familiar with lockout and tagout systems, this blog post should help you learn more about them.

Why is it important to install one at your office?
Lockouts and tagouts are often overlooked, but are extremely important for the safety of your employees. Without these systems, it is possible for employees to injure themselves and others or even to cause an explosion by starting up equipment without first locking out any energy sources that might pose a danger.

How does the LOTO safety equipment work?
lockout-tagout (LOTO) system is an important safety protocol that prevents injury. An LOTO system is used to lock out equipment before it can be serviced, and to tag it back in when the job is done so that nobody starts using the device while it’s being repaired.

What are its precautions and operating procedure?
A lockout/tagout system is defined as an industrial process control device which is used to isolate and secure hazardous energy sources during maintenance and servicing. LOTO systems are categorized by the type of isolation they provide. Lock out systems ensure that no energy can be released from the device or machinery, whereas tag out systems only disconnect electrical power to the machinery or device. A lockout system can be manually activated, automatically activated by sensing equipment (e.g., pressure switches), or remotely activated (e.g., by radio). A tagout system can also be manually, remotely, or automatically activated.

How much time do I have to switch my machine off?
A lockout or tagout system is a device used to lock out an energized source, such as an electric current, before the source is disconnected and the worker leaves the area. A LOTO system can be any locking device that prevents energy from being released when it’s not supposed to be. There are two types of lockout devices: pressure locks and magnetic locks. Magnetic locks are typically used on overhead lines and equipment that uses high voltage circuits with alternating current (AC) power sources, while pressure locks are typically used for low voltage circuits with direct current (DC) power sources.

What happens if there’s an emergency during working hours?
An emergency during working hours can be extremely dangerous, especially if there is no safety protocol in place. If an employee enters the hazardous area without following the correct procedure, they may not know what to do if something goes wrong. In addition to not knowing how to react, they might also have been exposed to harmful substances.

Can I replace this LOTO device with any other locking device?
A lockout system is a critical part of any safety protocol. While there are many options for locking devices, the lukkosafety LOTO device is both cost-effective and easy to use. The LOTO device can be used as either a lock-in or as a lock-out device. For example, if you are changing out equipment, you may want to lock the old equipment out so that it cannot be activated while someone is using it.

What are the uses of lockout

    The purpose of a “Lockout/Tagout” procedure is to protect employees from machines and
    equipment capable of causing injury due to unexpected energization, release of stored
    energy or the start-up of equipment while an employee is performing maintenance or
    servicing equipment. To inform Contractors of their responsibility when performing
    lockout/tagout activities at NSU to ensure all employees potentially affected by energization
    of building systems are properly protected and the EH&S office notified.

1.2 ACTIVITIES

NSU ensures all its employees; faculty, students, visitors and property are protected by
complying with the OSHA Standard, 29 CFR 1910.147 – Control of Hazardous Energy
Sources (Lockout/Tagout).
NSU maintains a Lockout/Tagout program for its maintenance employees, where standard
locks and tags are used to control the start-up of equipment that is being serviced or
maintained by employees.
Controlling hazardous energy may involve disconnecting motors, de-energizing electrical
circuits or discharging capacitors.
Hazardous energy found at NSU may be of the following types:
Electrical.
Thermal.
Hydraulic.
Pneumatic.
Chemical.
Mechanical.

1.3 RESPONSIBILITIES

Contractors and employees must follow the requirements for Lockout/Tagout as outlined
below:
1) The Contractor is responsible for implementing and maintaining his/her own
Lockout/Tagout program in accordance with OSHA regulations.
2) The Contractor shall submit a copy of their Lockout/Tagout policy to the EH&S office
before starting on a project where the control of hazardous energy sources is
applicable.
3) The Contractor is to ensure all employees are trained in Lockout/Tagout procedures in
accordance with OSHA regulations prior to performing the work.
4) The Contractor will not perform any work on electrical circuits, machinery or lines
carrying hazardous liquids or gases under pressure until appropriate protective
measures have been instituted by the Contractor.
5) If the Contractor is required to lock out University equipment, the Contractor will
notify the EH&S officer. Under no circumstances will a Contractor lock out NSU
equipment without permission.
6) The Contractor is prohibited from disengaging any warning devices or alarms without
prior approval from Facilities Management.
7) It is the Contractor’s responsibility to obtain a copy of the written NSU’s LockoutTagout policy and to ensure all procedures are followed accordingly.
8) Contractors shall provide their employees with the lockout/tagout procedures
developed specifically for the project.
9) During work on the project, if the Contractor encounters a NSU lock that interferes
with the work being performed, they shall not attempt to remove or bypass the device,
but contact Facilities Management to request removal of the lock.
10) Contractors will develop a special procedure in the event the project requires multiple
lockout devices, shift changes or staff changes.
11) The Contractor will maintain a log of all machines and equipment that will be locked
out and/or tagged out during the course of the project. The log shall contain details of
which equipment was worked on, the date the work was performed, and the name of
the employee performing the work.
12) All Contractors who are required to use their own lockout/tagout equipment, must
ensure it meets OSHA standards, and all locks are removed at the end of the job with
the approval of the EH&S office.

1.4 REGULATIONS

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 The Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout)
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.333 Electrical – Selection and Use of Work Practices
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.417 Lockout and tagging of circuits
1.5 ACCOUNTABILITY
All contactors will be responsible for complying with the guidelines as described above.
Contractors are to communicate to their employees and Subcontractors all the guidelines and
relevant information. All work shall be performed in accordance with University policies
and procedures as well as all applicable laws and regulations.

6 tips to use lockout hasp locks

A lockout hasp is used when more than one employee is involved in a lockout:tagout operation. These employees work in a group on the same energy source. The hasps allow multiple padlocks to be used when isolating one energy source such as a piece of machinery or a power switch. The lockout hasp is placed through a latch on the machinery to be locked out and each person carrying out maintenance or service work attaches their padlock through one of the six openings within the lockout hasp. All of the padlocks are then locked.

      As the hasps must be able to pull at least 50 pounds, many come with a zinc plated steel jaw. Jaws are also made out of strong, spark resistant aluminum for use where required. This ensures each worker’s safety during the lockout operation as prescribed by OSHA.  Lockout Hasps can be purchased with a non-conductive, red vinyl handle coating. This also improves the grip and protects the equipment from scratching. There are also lockout hasps that are available with a highly visible, printed DANGER Do Not Operate so they can be used both as a tag and a lockout device in one central unit. They are also available in various colors making them ideal for group lockout situations. In addition, lockout hasps are available “dual-sided” so that they can lockout more than one piece of equipment at a time.

Long Reach Hasps And Short Reach Hasps. Often times it is difficult to get to the latch in order to use a lockout hasp. Specially designed Long Reach and Short Reach Hasps with thin 1/4” or 1/8” shackles are able to fit into these spaces thus making the hasp available for locking out more than one padlock. There are hasps that are available with shackles on both ends, if that is what is necessary to insure that the attached padlocks lock out the energy sources.