OSHA's
lockout tagout procedures are designed to prevent accidents when employees are servicing machines and equipment. The regulations (29 CFR 1910.147) require the control of energy-isolating devices by attaching locks (lockout) to prevent machines from being operated, or tags (tagout) that warn people not to start up the machines. Employers must conduct inspections, at least annually, of the energy-control procedures to make sure that they are in full compliance with the regulations.
Employers must also provide lockout/tagout procedures training that gives employees the knowledge and skills to apply, use, and remove the energy controls safely. All lockouts and tagouts must be performed by the employees who are going to service the machines. Employees who will be affected by a lockout or tagout must be notified before and after the controls are applied.
Basic Lockout/Tagout Training
The lockout/tagout regulations have three basic training requirements: Employees must be instructed about the limitations of tagout systems, all affected employees must be retrained periodically, and employers must certify that lockout/tagout training has been accomplished and updated.
Lockout/tagout procedures may be performed by only authorized employees. Training for authorized employees includes such issues as the purpose of the standard and when the standard applies, plus many specific other items.
Training for affected employees may cover the procedures for authorized employees and explain why affected employees must not energize any machine or piece of equipment that is locked out or tagged out.
When using a tagout device in place of a lockout program, the employer must demonstrate that the protection provided to employees is equivalent to that obtained by using a lockout program.
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