Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Lockout/Tagout
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Lockout/tagout refers to specific practices and procedures to safeguard employ-
ees from the unexpected energization or startup of machinery and equipment
or the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance activities.
Approximately 3 million workers service equipment and face the greatest risk of
injury if lockout/tagout is not properly implemented. Compliance with the lock-
out/tagout standard prevents an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries each
year. Workers injured on the job from exposure to hazardous energy lose an aver-
age of 24 work days for recuperation. In a study conducted by the United Auto
Workers, 20% of the fatalities (83 of 414) that occurred among their members
between 1973 and 1995 could be attributed to inadequate hazardous energy con-
trol procedures, specifically lockout/tagout procedures. Wind turbines have lots of
internal machinery and equipment, including blades that need to be maintained.
Workers performing servicing or maintenance may be exposed to injuries from
the unexpected energization, startup of the machinery or piece of equipment, or
relapse of stored energy in the equipment. Wind farm employers must implement
lockout/tagout procedures outlined in OSHA standards; see 29 CFR 1910.269(d)
and 29 CFR 1910.147.
The following are some of the significant requirements of a lockout/tagout proce-
dure required under a lockout/tagout program:
• Only authorized employees may lockout or tagout machines or equipment
in order to perform servicing or maintenance.
• Lockout devices (locks) and tagout devices must not be used for any other
purposes and must be used only for controlling energy.
• Lockout and tagout devices (locks and tags) must identify the name of the
worker applying the device.
• All energy sources to equipment must be identified and isolated.
• After the energy is isolated from the machine or equipment, the isolating
devices must be locked out or tagged out in the “safe” or “off” position
only by the authorized employees.
• Following the application of the lockout or tagout devices to the energy
isolating devices, the stored or residual energy must be safely discharged
or relieved.
• Prior to beginning any work on the equipment, the authorized employee
should verify that the equipment is isolated from the energy source—
for example, by operating the on/off switch on the machine or piece of
equipment.
• The lock and tag must remain on the machine until the work is completed.
• Only the authorized employee who placed the lock and tag can remove
the lock or tag, unless the employer has a specific procedure as outlined
in OSHA's lockout/tagout standard.
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Adapted from OSHA's
Green Jobs Hazards: Wind Energy—Lockout/Tagout
,
http:www.osha.gov/dep/
