Control of Hazardous Energy w/Lockout
SectionE: / Support Services / Code: / EBD

POLICY

The energy that runs industrial equipment can be hazardous if it is not carefully controlled during servicing or maintenance. The lockout standard covers procedures for shutting down, releasing energy types, the actual lockout procedures, verifying lockout, release of locks and tags, and re-energizing equipment.

The Hanover School Division requires that authorized and affected workers must be trained in specific lock-out procedures for the tasks they perform. Lockout procedures are required to be used when:

  1. Maintenance or servicing equipment
  2. An employee is required to remove or bypass a guard
  3. An employee is required to place any part of his/her body into an area of a machine or equipment where work is performed upon the material being processed (point of operation) or where a danger zone exists during the machine’s operating cycle.

GUIDELINES

General rules for lock-out

  1. Only electricians may perform electrical work.
  2. A machine shut down for repair, cleaning, or inspection must have all power switched and locked in the off position by each employee working on that equipment.
  3. If a worker may be exposed hazards due to the servicing or maintenance activities of an outside contractor the employee must be informed of and comply with the contractor’s energy control procedures. The outside personnel must also be informed and given a copy of this document.

Specific rules for locks

  1. Each authorized worker who services machinery or equipment shall be issued a lock prior to starting each job.
  2. Locks will be assigned by number for the purpose of identification and either kept in a central area or distributed to only one specific employee for that employee’s specific use.
  3. The lock must identify the name of the employee applying the lock. These locks may not be used for any other purpose other then lockout.
  4. During lockout, employees must keep their keys in their immediate possession. Master keys are not permitted.

Lock-out procedure

Before servicing or performing maintenance on machinery or equipment, the authorized employee must follow this written procedure.

Preparation for Shutdown

  1. Notify affected employee that lockout procedures are going to be used.
  2. The authorized employee must verify the type and magnitude of energy; the hazards of the energy; and the method to control the energy.
  3. Shut down the machine or equipment by normal stopping procedures (depress stop button, open toggle switch, etc.).
  4. Tagout alone cannot be used.
  5. Apply locks to each energy-isolating device, isolating energy sources. The locks must note the employee’s name and the service date. Each authorized worker who is working on the same project must install a lock on the equipment to be serviced.
  6. All stored and residual energy must be relieved, disconnected, restrained, and otherwise rendered safe.
  7. Verify that the main disconnect or circuit breaker cannot be moved. Press all start buttons and activating controls on equipment to make sure all power is disconnected.
  8. If it is possible that stored energy will re-accumulate to a hazardous level, the authorized worker will repeat the certification process until servicing or maintenance is completed.

Perform Work

  1. Avoid tasks that could reactivate the equipment.
  2. Do not bypass locks or tags when putting in new piping or wiring.

Removing lockout

  1. Remove all tools from the work area, reattach guards taken off, and make sure the machine or equipment is safe to operate.
  2. Inform all affected employees that locks are being removed. Check to ensure all employees are safely positioned or removed from the area.
  3. Verify controls are in neutral.
  4. Remove locks and re-energize equipment.
  5. Notify affected employees that the servicing is completed and the machine or equipment is ready for use.

Compliance with this Policy

All employees are required to comply with the restrictions and limitations imposed upon them during the use of lockout. Non-compliance would be considered a serious violation in the discipline system. In no case shall any employee remove another employee’s lockout device. All employees, upon observing a machine or piece of equipment which is “locked-out” shall not attempt to start, energize, or use that machine or equipment.

Verification of Compliance

The Maintenance supervisor or designate shall conduct a periodic inspection of this energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements are being followed by workers.

Lockout: Lockout is the placing of a lockout device on an energy-isolating device according to an established procedure after an energy source has been relieved. The lockout device ensures accidental re-energizing does not occur.

Authorized worker: An authorized worker is a worker who is authorized by the manager of facilities and maintenance to lock out machines or equipment in order to perform servicing or maintenance on that machine or equipment. All staff must be trained under the direction of the manager of facilities and maintenance or his designate in the following areas to be considered “authorized”:

  1. Rules for lockout
  2. Lockout procedures
  3. Group lockout procedures
  4. Shift Changes
  5. General electrical safety rules and safe work procedures
  6. Energy control procedures for all types of machines or equipment including: recognition of hazardous energy sources; the type of the energy; the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.

Affected worker: An affected worker is a worker whose job requires him/her to operate or use a machine or piece of equipment on which servicing/maintenance is being performed under lockout, or whose job duties require the employee to work in an area in which such lockout is being performed. All affected employees who work in an area where lockout is used will be trained in the purpose and identification of lockouts and that they are prohibited from tampering with or attempting to restart any locked out machinery or equipment.

Legal References:

Additional Information: Formally Policy B-52

Appendixes:

Policy: / Control of Hazardous Energy w/Lockouts / Adopted: / June 16, 2009 / Revised: / Page 1 of 3