What should an effective lockout/tagout procedure include?

An effective lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedure is essential for ensuring the safety of workers who perform maintenance or servicing on machinery and equipment. Including standard equipment types and circuits in a lockout/tagout procedure is crucial because it provides specific and clear guidelines on how to safely deactivate each piece of equipment. This includes identifying what types of equipment require lockout/tagout procedures, the specific energy sources associated with them, and how to safely isolate those energy sources.

Having a standard allows workers to understand the proper methods for applying locks or tags to prevent accidental re-energization of equipment, which significantly reduces the risk of injuries. It ensures that everyone involved has access to consistent, reliable information that can help in recognizing and following the proper procedures.

While verbal instructions can offer temporary communication, relying solely on them is not sufficient for safety protocols. A fixed checklist might be useful but could vary based on the specific operation or equipment being serviced; effective procedures should be tailored to each situation. General equipment guidelines are too vague and do not provide the specificity required for safe practice. Therefore, standard equipment types and circuits provide the necessary detail to ensure that lockout/tagout procedures are effective and reliable.