Electrical Lockout/Tagout Procedures Quiz

Electrical Lockout/Tagout Procedures and Equipment Requirements

• Lockout/tagout procedure for electrical equipment must be based on existing equipment and systems, using up-to-date documentation and meeting relevant codes, standards, and regulations
• All sources of electrical energy must be controlled to minimize employee exposure to electrical hazards
• Documentation must be reviewed to ensure no electrical circuit interlock operation can result in re-energizing the circuit being worked on
• Locks/tags should only be installed on circuit disconnecting means, not on control devices like push-buttons or selector switches
• Lockout/tagout devices must be unique and readily identifiable
• Coordination of the lockout/tagout procedure is necessary with other employer procedures for control of exposure to electrical energy sources
• Two forms of hazardous electrical energy control are permitted: simple lockout/tagout and complex lockout/tagout
• Energy isolation devices for machinery or equipment installed after January 2, 1990, must be capable of accepting a lockout device
• Employers must supply lockout/tagout devices and equipment necessary to execute the requirements, and employees must use them
• Lockout devices must meet specific requirements including having a method of identifying the individual who installed the lockout device
• Tagout devices must also meet specific requirements including being capable of withstanding a certain amount of force
• Employers must maintain a copy of the lockout/tagout procedures and make them available to all employees

Lockout/Tagout Procedure Requirements Summary

• Procedure needs to include a method for transferring responsibility for lockout/tagout to another person or the person in charge for tasks extending beyond one shift
• Coordination with other jobs or tasks in progress, including remote locations, and the person responsible for coordination, must be established in the procedure
• The procedure must identify a method to account for all persons exposed to hazardous energy during lockout/tagout
• Lockout/tagout application must clearly identify when and where lockout and tagout apply, with specific definitions and safety measures for tagout procedures without a lock
• Details for removing locks or tags when the installer is unavailable must be identified, and attempts to locate the installer must be made before removal
• Steps to be taken when the job or task requiring lockout/tagout is completed, including tests, visual inspections, and notification of employees responsible for operating the equipment, need to be included in the procedure
• The procedure must clearly identify the steps and responsibilities when the job or task requiring lockout/tagout is interrupted temporarily for testing or positioning of equipment
• Establishing and verifying an electrically safe work condition must include specific steps, such as determining all possible sources of electrical supply, visually verifying disconnecting devices, and testing for the absence of voltage
• The order of steps for establishing and verifying an electrically safe work condition must be followed if feasible
• The procedure must contain a statement requiring the area to be inspected to ensure that nonessential items have been removed and that all personnel are clear of exposure to dangerous conditions resulting from re-energizing the service
• Temporary release for testing and positioning must follow identical steps as the steps for return to service
• The procedure must establish a process for establishing and verifying an electrically safe work condition, including steps such as applying lockout/tagout devices and testing for the absence of voltage