OSHA Standard 1910.147. Subpart J Control of Hazardous Energy Lockout/Tagout (LO/TO) Program
OSHA Standard 1910.147 Subpart J 1910.147 (c)(9)(8) Restoring Equipment to Service. When the servicing or maintenance is completed and the machine or equipment is ready to return to normal operating condition, the following steps shall be taken.
OSHA Standard 1926 Subpart K 1926.416(a)(1). No employer shall permit an employee to work in such proximity to any part of an electric power circuit that the employee could contact the electric power circuit in the course of work unless the employee is protected against electric shock by de-energizing the circuit and grounding it or by guarding it effectively by insulation or other means.
OSHA Standard 1926 Subpart K 1926.417(a). Controls that are to be deactivated during the course of work on energized or de-energized equipment or circuits shall be tagged. Equipment or circuits that are de-energized shall be rendered inoperative and shall have tags attached at all points where such equipment or circuits can be energized. Tags shall be placed to identify plainly the equipment or circuits being worked on. Restoring Equipment to Service. When the servicing or maintenance is completed and the machine, equipment or energy source is ready to return to normal operating condition, the following steps shall be taken.
OSHA Standard 1926 Subpart K 1926.416(a)(3). Before work is begun the employer shall ascertain by inquiry or direct observation, or by instruments, whether any part of an energized electric power circuit, exposed or concealed, is so located that the performance of the work may bring any person, tool, or machine into physical or electrical contact with the electric power circuit. The employer shall post and maintain proper warning signs where such a circuit exists. The employer shall advise employees of the location of such lines, the hazards involved, and the protective measures to be taken.
OSHA Standard 1926 Subpart F 1926.153(e). Filling of fuel containers for trucks or motor vehicles from bulk storage containers shall be performed not less than 10′ from the nearest masonry-walled building, or not less than 25′ from the nearest building or other construction and, in any event, not less than 25′ from any building opening. Filling of portable containers or containers mounted on skids from storage containers shall be performed not less than 50′ from the nearest building.
The purpose of the LO/TO program is to recognize hazardous energy sources, LO/TO devices, specific procedures, rules, and consequences of failure to LO/TO. Note that gravity is a less obvious energy source, but it should be recognized as one! ALL protective measures need to be taken to isolate ALL sources of hazardous energy.
What You Need to Know – No Exception to Procedures!
- Notify all affected employees that servicing or maintenance is required on a machine, equipment, or energy source and that the machine or equipment must be shut down and locked out to perform the task.
- The authorized employee shall refer to the company procedure to identify the type and magnitude of the energy that the machine, equipment, or line utilized, shall understand the hazards of the energy, and shall know the methods to control the energy.
- If the machine, equipment, or energy source is operating, shut it down by the normal stopping procedure (depress the stop button, open the switch, close the valve, etc.).
- De-activate the energy-isolating device(s) so that the machine, equipment, or task is isolated from the energy source(s).
- Lock out the energy-isolating device(s) with assigned individual lock(s). Every individual that needs to work around the equipment or lines needs their own locks.
- Ensure that the equipment is disconnected from the energy source(s) by first checking that no personnel is exposed, then verify the isolation of the equipment by operating the push button or other normal operating control(s) or by testing the line to make certain the energy sources is disconnected.
- Restoring Equipment to Service. When the servicing or maintenance is completed and the machine or equipment is ready to return to normal operating condition, the following steps shall be taken:
- Check the machine, equipment, or task area in the immediate area to ensure that nonessential items have been removed and that the machine, equipment components, or energy source are operationally intact.
- Check the work area to ensure that all employees have been safely positioned or removed from the area.
- Verify that the controls are in neutral, or area is clear.
- Remove the lockout devices and reenergize the machine, equipment, or line.
- Notify affected employees that the servicing, maintenance, or task is completed, and is ready for use.
Good Examples and Equipment
