Lockout Tagout

This policy is designed to ensure that College employees follow the "Lockout/Tagout" program. This program establishes procedures for using energy isolating devices to disable machines or equipment to prevent unexpected start up or release of stored energy that may cause injuries. This policy applies to all College employees who may perform service and/or maintenance on machines and equipment capable of "unexpected" start up or release of stored energy.

Definitions and Scope

While any employee is exposed to contact with parts of fixed electric equipment or circuits which have been deenergized, the circuits energizing the parts shall be locked out or tagged or both in accordance with the requirements of this policy. An authorized employee is an employee who locks out or tags out machines or equipment in order to service or maintain them. All authorized employees must successfully complete the required training. An energy-isolating device is a device that prevents the transmission or release or energy. An "energy source" is any source of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other energy. Lockout is the placement of a locking device on an energy-isolating device that ensures the equipment being controlled cannot be operated until the lockout device is removed. Lockout device is a device that utilizes a positive means such as a lock, either key or combination type, to hold an energy-isolating device in the safe position. Tagout is the placement of an attachable tag on an energy-isolating device to indicate that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled may not be operated until the Tagout device is removed. A Tagout device is a prominent warning device, such as a tag and a means of attachment, which can be securely fastened to indicate that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled may not be operated until the Tagout device is removed.

Roles and Responsibilities

Facilities has overall responsibility for the Lockout / Tagout program. Trade managers and foremen are responsible for ensuring that their employees are trained in Lockout /Tagout procedures and that the procedures are being followed.

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S Office) is responsible for conducting training sessions for employees and periodically auditing the program.

De-energizing Equipment

Safe procedures for de-energizing circuits and equipment shall be determined before circuits or equipment are de-energized. The circuits and equipment to be worked on shall be disconnected from all electrical energy sources. Control circuit devices, such as push buttons, selector switches, and interlocks, may not be used as the sole means for de-energizing circuits or equipment. Interlocks for electric equipment may not be used as a substitute for lockout and tagging out procedures. Stored electric energy, which might endanger personnel, must be released. Capacitors shall be discharged and high capacitance elements must be short-circuited and grounded, if the stored electric energy might endanger personnel. Stored non-electrical energy in devices that could re-energize electric circuit parts must be blocked or relieved to the extent that the circuit parts could not be accidentally energized by the device.

Application of Locks and Tags

A lock and a tag must be placed on each disconnecting means used to de-energize circuits and equipment on which work is to be performed. The lock must be attached so as to prevent persons from operating the disconnecting means unless they resort to undue force or the use of tools. Each tag must contain a statement prohibiting unauthorized operation the disconnecting means and removal of the tag. If a lock can not be applied, or if the College can demonstrate that tagging procedures will provide a level of safety equivalent to that obtained by the use of a lock, a tag may be used without a lock. A tag used without a lock must be supplemented by at least one additional safety ensures that provides a level of safety equivalent to that obtained by the use of a lock. Examples of additional safety measures include the removal of an isolating circuit element, blocking of a controlling switch, or opening of an extra disconnecting device. A lock may be placed without a tag only under the following conditions in which only one circuit or piece of equipment is de-energized, and the lockout period does not extend beyond the work shift, and employees exposed to the hazards associated with re-energizing the circuit or equipment are familiar with this procedure.

Verification of De-Energized Condition

A qualified person must operate the equipment operating controls or other wise verifies that the equipment can not be restarted. A qualified person must use test equipment to test the circuit elements and electrical parts of equipment to which employees will be exposed and must verify that the circuit elements and equipment parts are de-energized. The test must also determine if any energized condition exists as a result of inadvertently induced voltage or unrelated voltage backfeed even though specific parts of the circuit have been de-energized and presumed to be safe. If the circuit to be tested is over 600 volts, nominal, the test equipment must be checked for proper operation immediately before and immediately after this test.

Re-Energized Equipment

A qualified person must conduct tests and visual inspections, as necessary, to verify that all tools, electrical jumpers, shorts, grounds and other such devices have been removed, so that the circuits and equipment can be safely energized. Employees exposed to the hazards associated with re-energizing the circuit or equipment must be advised to stay clear of circuits and equipment. Each lock and tag must be removed by the employee who applied it or under his or her direct supervision. However, if the employee is absent from the workplace, then the lock or tag may be removed by a qualified person designated to perform this task provided that the college ensures that the employee who applied the lock or tag is not available at the workplace, and the college ensures that the employee is aware that the lock or tag has been removed before he or she resumes work at the workplace. There must be a visual determination that all employees are clear of the circuits and equipment before it is re-energized occurs.

Training

The EH&S Office will ensure that employees are training on hazardous energy control for all authorized employees. The training includes recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of energy available in the workplace, and methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control. Retraining is required whenever there is a change in job assignment, machines, equipment or processes that present a new hazard or a change in the energy control procedures.

Record Keeping

The EH&S Office and Human Resources will maintain training records, including each employee's name and dates of training. EH&S Office will also retain records of the annual Lockout / Tagout program audit.