Isolation Procedures (Lock out-Tag out)

Atlantic Safety Consultancy

DOLE OSHC- Accredited STO
Acc. No. 1030-071412-0023
Overview
 Purpose of LOTO
 Elements which make up a successful system
 Details on implementation
Purpose of LOTO

The control of energy sources to

allow safe working conditions:

- Electrical
- Pressure
- Motion
- Chemical
- Thermal
 DEFINITION OF TERMS
1. Lockout.
a. The placement of a locking
device on an energy-isolating
device;
b. This is to ensure that the
energy-isolating device and the
equipment being controlled
cannot be operated until the
lockout device is removed.
 DEFINITION OF TERMS
2. Tagout.
a. The placement of tag on an
energy isolating device.
b. This is to indicate that the
energy isolating device and
the equipment being controlled
may not be operated until the
tag and lock is removed.

c. Such tag must be durable enough to withstand

50 lbs. of force.
 DEFINITION OF TERMS

3. Energy Control Point is the

single point at which hazardous
energy flow can be effectively
and positively blocked so that it
can no longer cause injury or loss
of resources.

4. Danger Zone – the area or work space

where, if the hazardous energy was
inadvertently released, could potentially
cause injury.
 DEFINITION OF TERMS

5. Affected Employee:
a. An employee whose job requires
them to operate a machine or
equipment where servicing is
being performed under LOTO,
or
b. An employee whose job requires
them to work in an area where
repairing, servicing or
maintaining is being performed.
 DEFINITION OF TERMS
6. Authorized Person.
a. A person who implements a LOTO system procedure
on machines or equipment to perform the servicing or
maintenance on that machine or
equipment.
b. An authorized and affected
employees may be the same person
when the affected employee’s duties
also include performing maintenance
or service on a machine or piece of
equipment which must be locked and tagout.
Elements for Success
The following elements are
required for successful
isolation:
1. Identification of hazards
2. Determine controls
3. Implement controls via a safe
system of work, e.g. LOTO
Step 1 - Identification of Hazards
The most important step!

Involves 2 key people:

-Work supervisor
-Requests work access;
-Clearly identifies work scope
-System engineer
-Identifies potential energy
sources, i.e. hazards
Step 2 – Determine Controls
 Established by system engineer, always with aid of a
schematic
 Double isolation required wherever possible. If not
possible, other mitigation required.
Double Isolation vs. Single Isolation

PENSTOCK PENSTOCK
WORKING AREA VALVES LOCKED WORKING AREA
VALVES LOCKED IN CLOSED
IN CLOSED POSITION
POSITION
JACK JACK

NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE

NOTICE
NOTICE

VALVE LOCKED IN OUTLET

VALVE LOCKED IN OUTLET OPENED POSITION
OPENED POSITION

Double Isolation Single Isolation

Electrical Isolation
 Principles of isolation:
 Isolate
 Earth
 Prove dead at point of work
 Never isolate with a breaker. Must be
able to see air gap:
 Use disconnector or;
 Rack out breaker or;
 Disconnect
 Earthing must be rated for fault level
current – this is the back-up to the
primary isolation
 Always prove dead at point of work.
Voltage tester is correct tool
Step 3 – Safe System of Isolation
The system established must
be clean, simple and practical.

Should not be overly

beaurocratic.

NO SHORCUTS!
Step 3 – Safe System of Isolation
Identification of
responsibilities. Training a
must!
-Work supervisor
-Requests work permit
-System Engineer
-Identifies hazards and
establishes controls
-Authorising Engineer
-Reviews isolations and issues
permit
Step 3 – Safe System of Isolation

Control forms –
maintain due process

-Work request
-Isolation sheet

-Schematic

-Permit to work
Step 3 – Safe System of Isolation
LOTO Equipment – Prevents
accidental or unauthorised
operation

-Individuallykeyed locks
-LOTO box/ Custodial Cabinet

-Personal padlocks

-Tags

-Testing equipment

ALWAYS PROVE DEAD AT

POINT OF WORK
Step 3 – Safe System of Isolation
The electrician/maintenance personnel in charge of LOTO shall:

1. Locate equipment to be de-energized after reading and

understanding the equipment specific procedures.
2. The
1. Obtain the LOTO devices
electrician/maintenance personnel shall:
3. Notify the area supervisor and operator that their equipment will
be scheduled for maintenance or repair.
4. Shutdown machinery or equipment by normal stopping
procedure.
5. Sign date and attach the tag to the lock out device.
6. Attached his LOTO device to the energy isolating device in
the off position
Step 3 – Safe System of Isolation
Finally…

Don’t forget the de-isolation

process!

-Allwork complete and

work area checked
-Removal of isolation in
correct order
-Check of readiness for
operation
 Summarized: Lock-out Tag-out Procedures
1. Locate equipment to be de-energized. Notify operations and
maintenance. Contact electrician to identify main or isolation switch.
2. Shutdown machinery or equipment by normal stopping procedure.
3. Neutralize all stored energy.
4. Personally lockout (hasps and pad lock) all power sources and/or
control devices.
5. Sign, date and attach a lockout tag to the disconnected switch, valves
and other similar devices. Never rely on tags alone. They should be
used to record information.
6. After locking out equipment, attempt to start using the starting
controls. If equipment cannot be locked out, notify Supervisors before
proceeding any further.
7. Put all lock keys to the custodial LOTO Box.
8. After testing, return operating controls to neutral or OFF position. The
equipment is now “Locked-Out”
 Summarized: De-isolation Procedures
1. After completion of servicing and/ or maintenance, the equipment is
ready for normal production operations. Check the area around the
equipment if exposed.
2. Remove al tools from the machine/ equipment and see to it that
guards have been re-installed.
3. Notify all employees and assure them that they are in the clear.
4. CAUTION! Check to see that the normal operating controls are in the
“OFF” position (stop buttons, toggle switches, valves, etc.)
5. Remove all lock-out devices and tags.
6. Operate power isolating devices to restore
power/ energy to the machine/ equipment.
THE EQUIPMENT IS NOW BACK IN SERVICE.
Abandoned Locks
When the employee who applied the LOTO device is not
available to remove it, that device may be removed under the
direction of the immediate supervisor.
 The Power to Make a Difference

Questions?