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.

Why you need to buy lockout padlocks

  • Traditional Safety Padlocks — Traditional safety padlocks are a multi-purpose solution that includes flexible cable locks for tight spaces and simultaneous lockout points. Not to mention, this padlock design offers additional material options including non-conductive nylon, aluminum and laminated steel lock bodies. The traditional safety padlocks rely on a classic design that includes a pin tumbler lock mechanism with a jagged key design. It’s design also means fewer key combinations, making it ideal for small work groups and facilities with fewer energy isolation points.
  • SafeKey Lockout Padlocks — SafeKey Lockout Padlocks feature a patent-pending locking mechanism that includes six precision steel tumbler blades and more unique key possibilities, making it ideal for large organizations using hundreds of thousands locks. The innovative design makes for an extra smooth key insertion and removal — even when wearing gloves! It’s linear, low-friction lock mechanism helps maintain key integrity, helping the padlock last longer.
  • Color-coding — Larger organizations have benefited from color-coding locks by trade or location to help keep equipment organized. Color-coded locks can also tell you who is still working on a machine at a glance, improving the visibility of the lockout process. Some facilities have even opted to color code their locks by location to reduce losses when internal maintenance teams are working with outside contractors.
  • Engraving — Engraving is an easy, more permanent way to keep everything organized, while also communicating the status of maintenance. For example, a facility may opt to engrave the department name on each lock, as well as the key code to make it easier to match the locks and keys together.