Lockout and Tag-out Policy

1. Introduction and Purpose

Loyalist College is committed to ensuring the safety of its community members and complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. This policy establishes lockout and tag-out requirements to prevent injuries caused by the unexpected energization, activation, or release of hazardous energy during the servicing or maintenance of machinery, equipment, or electrical systems through the use of lockout and tag-out processes.

This policy is supported by departmental procedures and forms that outline specific lockout and tag-out requirements.

2. Application

This policy applies to all college employees, students, and contractors who perform servicing or maintenance on machinery, equipment, or electrical systems that may contain hazardous energy and pose a risk of injury if released unexpectedly.

All contractors performing work on Loyalist College premises are required to follow the lockout/tagout requirements outlined in this policy. In the event that a contractor’s own lockout policy or procedure is more stringent than Loyalist College’s requirements, the more stringent procedure will take precedence and must be followed. In all cases, the most rigorous standard must prevail to ensure the highest level of safety.

This policy 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. This policy does not apply to minor servicing, tool changes, or adjustments that do not have the potential to cause injury.

This policy is intended to support safe work practices; however, it does not replace or override any applicable legislative or regulatory requirements. In all cases, the requirements of relevant legislation, including but not limited to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations, must be followed and will take precedence over this policy.

3. Definitions

Authorized persons. A person who is qualified to engage in hazardous energy control because of their knowledge, training, and experience and has been assigned to engage in such control.  

Affected persons. Persons who are not directly involved in the work requiring the hazardous energy control, but who are (or may be) located in the work area. 

De-energization. A process that is used to disconnect and isolate a system from a source of energy to prevent the release of that energy. By de-energizing the system, the risk that the system could inadvertently, accidentally, or unintentionally cause harm to a person through the release of hazardous energy is eliminated.

Energized. Connected to an energy source or containing residual or stored energy.

Energy Isolating Device. A mechanical device that physically prevents the transmission or release of energy (for example, a manually operated circuit breaker or disconnect switch, line valve, block, etc.). Push buttons, selection switches, or interlocks are not considered energy isolating devices.

Hazardous Energy. Electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, gravitational, thermal, or other energy that, when released, can cause harm.

Lockout. The placement of a lockout device on an energy isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, ensuring that the energy isolating device and equipment being controlled cannot be operated until the lockout device is removed.

Lockout Device. A mechanical means of locking that uses an individually keyed lock to secure an energy isolating device in a position that prevents the energization of a machine, equipment, or a process.

Tag-out. The placement of a tag-out device, in accordance with an established procedure, to indicate that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled may not be operated until the tag-out device is removed.

Tag-out Device. A prominent warning device, such as a tag and means of attachment, which can be securely fastened to an energy isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, to indicate that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled may not be operated until the tag-out device is removed.

Verification/Verify. The process of confirming the complete absence of all hazardous energy—both active and stored—before performing any servicing or maintenance work. Verification must be performed after isolation but before work begins to ensure that all energy sources (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, chemical, gravitational, etc.) have been properly neutralized or controlled. This includes testing or checking that no residual, stored, or potential energy remains that could cause injury.

4. Policy

Loyalist College is committed to protecting the health and safety of its community members by ensuring that hazardous energy sources are effectively controlled during servicing and maintenance activities.

The college requires that all hazardous energy be identified, isolated, controlled and verified prior to the commencement of any work where there is risk of injury from the unexpected energization, start-up or release of stored energy.

Only individuals who are authorized by the college and have received appropriate training may perform lockout and tag-out activities. All employees, students, and contractors who work on or near equipment where hazardous energy may be present must comply with this policy and with established lockout and tag-out procedures. No work shall proceed where hazardous energy control is required unless appropriate controls are in place.

Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that hazards related to energy sources within their areas of responsibility are identified and that appropriate control measures and procedures are implemented and followed.

The college will provide the necessary training, resources and oversight to support the effective implementation of hazardous energy control practices. Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action and may constitute a violation of applicable health and safety legislation.  

Supervisors are responsible for identifying sources of hazardous energy in their areas and conducting a hazard risk assessment prior to developing procedures specific to the lockout/tag-out of an area, machine, or piece of equipment.

4.1 Training

• All employees who perform work involving hazardous energy, as well as those who may be affected by such work, must receive appropriate training in lockout and tag-out requirements relevant to their roles.
• Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that employees under their direction are trained, understand their responsibilities and comply with applicable lockout and tag-out requirements and procedures.
• Training must be completed prior to an employee undertaking work involving any hazardous energy requiring lockout.
• Re-training will be provided annually, or when there is a change in equipment or a process that presents a new hazard, a revision has been made to the lockout and tag-out processes, 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.
• The college will ensure that training is documented and that records are maintained in accordance with institutional requirements.

5. Related Documents

• OHS 012 Lockout/Tag-out Procedure
• OHS 012 Form A Safety Lockout Isolation Plan
• OHS 012 Form B Lock Removal Authorization

6. References

• Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1990
• R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 851 Industrial Establishments, 1990
• CSA Z460-20: Control of Hazardous Energy – Lockout and Other Methods, 2020