Lockout Program

1. Purpose

To ensure procedures are in place to prevent injuries from the unexpected energization, activation or release of hazardous energy during servicing or maintenance of machinery, equipment or electrical systems.

2. Scope

• 2.1 This program is applicable to all College employees, students and contractors who perform servicing or maintenance on machines, equipment or electrical systems that may contain hazardous energy that, if released unexpectedly, could cause harm.
• 2.2 This program does not apply to work on cord-and-plug-connected electrical equipment where the unexpected energization or start-up is controlled by unplugging the equipment and the plug is in the direct control of the person performing the work.
• 2.3 This program does not apply to minor servicing, tool changes or adjustments that do not have the potential to cause injury.
• 2.4 Authorized persons are those authorized by their supervisor to apply lockout procedures.
• 2.5 Affected persons are those who operate or use a machine or equipment on which servicing or maintenance is being performed under lockout or who work in an area where such work is performed.
• 2.6 Hazardous Energy includes electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, gravitational, thermal or other energy that, when released, can cause harm.
• 2.7 Energy Isolating Device is a mechanical device that physically prevents the transmission or release of energy (examples- manually operated circuit breaker or disconnect switch, line valve, block). Push buttons, selection switches or interlocks are NOT considered energy-isolating devices.

3. Responsibility

• 3.1 College Employees will:
  • Assist in the development of lockout procedures for machines, equipment or processes in their area;
  • Follow lockout procedures for the machines, equipment or processes in their area;
  • Report any deficiencies or problems associated with the Lockout Program to their supervisor.
• 3.2 Supervisors and Managers will:
  • Identify machines, equipment or processes in their area(s) that possess hazardous energy and are required to be included in the Lockout Program;
  • Clearly identify all energy isolating devices to indicate their control function;
  • Provide protective equipment and devices necessary to perform work safely;
  • Ensure written lockout procedures are prepared for any complex machines, equipment or processes in their area. Use Form OHS 012(A) Safety Lockout Procedures to document these procedures. Note: Simple equipment with one energy source and an easily identified energy isolating device may not require a separate procedure;
  • Ensure their employees are trained, understand and apply proper lockout procedures;
  • Periodically observe employees performing lockouts to ensure the procedures are understood and followed;
  • Ensure contractors performing servicing or maintenance work in their area comply with lockout procedures;
  • When purchasing, modifying and installing equipment or designing processes, ensure energy-isolating devices are designed to accept a lockout device which will positively secure them in the isolated position.
• 3.3 Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator will:
  • Review and update the Lockout Program;
  • Provide technical assistance and coordinate appropriate training for employees, as requested.
• 3.4 Contractors will:
  • Comply with the requirements of this program;
  • Provide their own locks, tags and lockout devices;
  • Remove their own locks, tags and lockout devices when the maintenance or service work has been completed;
  • Communicate their lockout procedure to the designated Loyalist College representative.

4. Procedure

• 4.1 General Lockout-Tagout Guidelines
  • Only authorized workers are permitted to perform lockout procedures.
  • If an energy-isolating device is capable of being locked out, then it must be locked and tagged.
  • If an energy-isolating device is not capable of being locked out, then it must be tagged out.
  • Prior to commencing servicing or work, equipment and machinery must be inspected to verify that it can be effectively isolated.
  • All potential sources of hazardous energy must be considered when determining lockout procedures.
  • Each person performing services or working on a machine must apply their own lock and personally retain the key to the lock. Locks must not have a master key.
  • Tags, warning of the hazard and indicating who is performing the work, why the work is being performed and the date of lockout, must be applied in conjunction with all lockouts. Tags must be made of non-conducting material, securely attached and placed in a conspicuous location.
  • For multiple lockouts, first apply a hasp, then apply individual locks to the hasp.
• 4.2 Lockout-Tagout Steps
  • Identify machinery and processes to be isolated and identify all sources of hazardous energy. Use Form OHS-012(A) to document this step and the corresponding set of instructions that detail the specific lockout locations and lockout procedures for complex machinery or processes.
  • Notify affected employees that machinery or processes are going to be locked out.
  • Shutdown equipment following the normal stop procedures.
  • Neutralize all energy sources:
    • Electrical
      • If the equipment is operational, shut it down with the normal stopping procedure (stop button, switch).
      • If the equipment is not operational, check voltage to insure that the correct switch is locked out. Note: only licensed electricians or authorized employees fully trained in using voltage meters may perform this step.
      • Turn off main and auxiliary power disconnect switches. Remove load cables or adequately ground conductors with a visible grounding mechanism if switches exist that cannot be locked out. Note: When disconnecting switches, stand to the right of the switch, look away and use your left hand to disconnect the switch.
      • Try the point-of-operation controls to be sure the equipment is de- energized.
    • Pneumatic and Hydraulic
      • Remove pneumatic or hydraulic pressure.
    • Fluid and Gases
      • Lock valves or drain lines to reduce pressure. If valves are not lockable, physically remove supply line to the equipment, use a valve lock adaptor or close valve and remove handle.
      • Release or block any spring energy.
  • Apply lockout/tagout devices to all energy sources, ensuring they are held in the “off” position.
  • Verify equipment will not operate by trying all controls, valves and moveable parts. Return controls to the “neutral” or “off” position. Test electrical circuits with an approved, appropriately rated voltage meter.
    • Note: only licensed electricians or authorized employees fully trained in using voltage meters may perform this step.
• 4.3 Release from Lockout
  • After the work has been completed, the authorized employee must verify that all tools or unessential parts have been removed, all guards have been replaced and the equipment or process is operationally intact.
  • Notify all affected employees the equipment is ready to be energized.
  • Remove all locks from each energy-isolating device. The last lock removed should be that of the authorized employee supervising the lockout.
  • Energize the machine or process, and then re-start.
• 4.4 Lock Removal Procedures
  • In the event a worker is absent when locks are to be removed, the absent worker’s supervisor has the authority to remove the lock provided the following conditions are met:
    • All reasonable attempts have been made to contact the employee to determine why the lock was left on and to request the employee return to remove the lock.
    • The system is deemed safe by the supervisor to remove the lock.
    • Removal of the lock is documented on Form OHS-012(B).
  • The absent worker must be immediately notified by the supervisor upon returning to work that their lock has been removed. Document this notification on Form OHS-012(B).
• 4.5 Testing on Energized Equipment
  • During the course of electrical installations and servicing, it may become necessary to operate equipment without disconnecting and locking out from the power supply. The employee working on live installations must use approved personal protective equipment (rubber gloves, mats, shields, insulating tools, etc), rated for the voltage being worked on and procedures to ensure protection from electrical shock and arc flash while performing the work.
• 4.6 Training
  • All authorized and affected employees will receive training and instruction in energy control procedures sufficient to ensure that the purpose and function of the Lockout Program is understood.
  • Authorized employees who perform service or maintenance on equipment which must be locked out must also receive information on the hazardous energy sources and magnitude of that energy and the methods necessary for the isolation and control of the energy sources and the means of verification of control. The departmental safety lockout procedures completed on Form OHS-012(A) will be useful for training.
  • Training must be provided prior to initial assignment of work involving hazardous energy requiring lockout.
  • Retraining must be provided annually or when there is a change in equipment or process that presents a new hazard, a revision in the Lockout Program or when supervisory observations give reason to believe there are deviations from, or inadequacies in, the employee’s knowledge or use of energy control procedures.
  • Training must be documented and records maintained by the supervisor.

5. Related Documents and Links

• Form A: Safety Lockout Procedures
• Form B: Lock Removal Authorization

6. References

• Occupational Health & Safety Act and Industrial Regulations
• CSA Z462-08 Workplace Electrical Safety (Note: Standard is available in the Loyalist Library, Call # TA 404.C3 C3 2008)