When considering the rules and regulations of OSHA when applied to LOTO it is also extremely important to gain an understanding of definitions associated with the process to gain a greater understanding of the process and what is required.
Please note all of the OSHA definitions come from The Federal Register 1910.147 section B.
The relevant definitions are as follows:
Affected Employee
OSHA Definition:
“An employee whose job requires him/her to operate or use a machine or equipment on which servicing or maintenance is being performed under lockout or tagout, or whose job requires him/her to work in an area in which such servicing or maintenance is being performed.”
Explanation:
In short, this means anyone associated with maintenance or working around the area where maintenance may be being performed can and will be affected by lockout/tagout procedures.
Note: This does not just refer to the maintenance team, but absolutely anyone else who is employed by an organisation and will be in the area where the lockout is taking place.
Authorized Employee
OSHA Definition:
“A person who locks out or tags out machines or equipment in order to perform servicing or maintenance on that machine or equipment. An affected employee becomes an authorized employee when that employee's duties include performing servicing or maintenance covered under this section.”
Explanation:
All employees about to carry out maintenance should be given relevant training in order to effectively follow the lockout/tagout procedures that the company has developed.
The employee with the correct training who is part of the maintenance/servicing team is then officially designated as being an authorised person to carry out LOTO procedures. Anyone else who hasn’t had the correct training therefore becomes an ‘affected’ employee.
Capable of Being Locked Out
OSHA Definition:
An energy isolating device is capable of being locked out if it has a hasp or other means of attachment to which, or through which, a lock can be affixed, or it has a locking mechanism built into it. Other energy isolating devices are capable of being locked out, if lockout can be achieved without the need to dismantle, rebuild, or replace the energy isolating device or permanently alter its energy control capability.
Explanation:
Put simply, this means an energy source is capable of being locked out if it is able to accept attachments which allow the process of lockout/tagout to be utilised, providing that there is no changes made to the energy source.
Some energy sources are not capable of being locked out, and may require modification to accept lockout/tagout equipment and stop energisation.
Energized
OSHA Definition
Connected to an energy source or containing residual or stored energy.
Explanation:
It is important to remember that energy sources can contain continuously supplied, residual or stored energy. All these energy types must be successfully isolated and removed before maintenance can progress.
Energy Isolating Device
OSHA Definition
A mechanical device that physically prevents the transmission or release or energy, including but not limited to the following: A manually operated electrical circuit breaker, a disconnect switch, a manually operated switch by which the conductors of a circuit can be disconnected from all ungrounded supply conductors and, in addition, no pole can be operated independently; a line valve; a block; and any similar device used to block or isolate energy. Push buttons, selector switches and other control circuit type devices are not energy isolating devices.
Explanation:
The short version: anything that disconnects energy from a machine entirely. Usually found as an on/off switch, but can be some of the things read above as well.
These shouldn’t be confused with the lockout device itself, which is a different thing entirely.
Energy Source.
OSHA Definition:
Any source of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other energy.
Explanation:
What they said.
Hot Tap
OSHA Definition:
A procedure used in the repair maintenance and services activities which involves welding on a piece of equipment (pipelines, vessels or tanks) under pressure, in order to install connections or appurtenances. It is commonly used to replace or add sections of pipeline without the interruption of service for air, gas, water, steam, and petrochemical distribution systems.
Lockout
OSHA Definition:
The placement of a lockout device on an energy isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, ensuring that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled cannot be operated until the lockout device is removed.
Explanation
Basically this is the process of making sure something that switches on something else can’t be operated. It combines both a locking out device and clear tagging in combination with relevant training and the introduction of lockout/tagout procedures into a workspace.
Lockout Device
OSHA Definition:
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 and prevent the energizing of a machine or equipment. Included are blank flanges and bolted slip blinds.
Explanation
The device which secures an energy source in an ‘off’ position and stops people from operating the source until removed. They are usually secured in place with padlocks, which are attached by trained team members.
Normal Production Operations
OSHA Definition:
The utilization of a machine or equipment to perform its intended production function.
Explanation:
When a machine is performing its intended job and has no errors. When maintenance is performed, normal production operations should cease by use of lockout/tagout procedures.
Servicing and/or Maintenance
OSHA Definition:
Workplace activities such as constructing, installing, setting up, adjusting, inspecting, modifying, and maintaining and/or servicing machines or equipment. These activities include lubrication, cleaning or unjamming of machines or equipment and making adjustments or tool changes, where the employee may be exposed to the unexpected energization or startup of the equipment or release of hazardous energy.
Explanation:
Basically this refers to the process of maintaining or repairing equipment that may be damaged or need regular maintenance. Lockout is used during these two states as a means to prevent machinery from being activated and injuring employees.
Setting Up
OSHA Definition:
Any work performed to prepare a machine or equipment to perform its normal production operation.
Tagout
OSHA Definition:
The placement of a tagout device on 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 tagout device is removed.
Explanation
Tagout refers to a means of communication applied to a lockout device. This is most commonly in the form of a clearly labelled tag, but can also be extended to the use of signs, posters, barricades and more.
Tagout Device
OSHA Definition:
A prominent warning device, such as a tag and a 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 tagout device is removed.
Explanation
Refers to the tags, or other equipment, that is applied during a lockout/tagout procedure to inform all around that the energy source is completely off-limits. Ensures you adhere to all regulations.
