Lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures are designed to prevent accidental startup of machines or equipment and to prevent the release of stored energy during servicing or maintenance. Use of the general lockout/tagout procedure that involves applying locks and/or tags as direct controls (as can be seen in the procedure below), ensures that equipment is isolated from energy sources and injuries are prevented.

• Notify appropriate affected employees that servicing, or maintenance is required on a machine or equipment and that the machine or equipment must be shut down and locked out to perform the servicing or maintenance.
• If the machine or equipment is operating, shut it down by the normal stopping procedure (depress the stop button, open switch, close valve, etc.).
• De-activate the energy isolating device(s) (such as switches, valves, circuit breakers, etc.) so that the machine or equipment is isolated from the energy source(s).
• Lock or tag out the energy isolating device(s) with assigned individual lockout/tagout device(s).

Prior to restoring normal operations, prepare and check the area around the machine or equipment to ensure that no one is exposed to hazards or injury.

• After all tools have been removed from the machine or equipment, guards reinstalled and employees notified, remove all lockout or tagout devices.
• Each person removes their own lock and tag. It is a safety violation to remove another person’s lock and tag.
• Disengage the energy isolating devices to restore energy to the machine or equipment.

The contractor assigned to the project shall follow the procedures in the lockout tagout guidelines.

• The contractor will use the locks and tags specific to their company. The contractor is responsible for removing their own locks and tags when the work is completed.

Training is available for the lockout tagout guidelines. Contact the Safety & Security Department at (701) 221-1700 to schedule training.