Lockout / Tagout Program

Texas A&M University at Galveston Control of Hazardous Energy Program

GENERAL

The following program is established to meet safety requirements for controlling hazardous energy using lockout/tagout procedures. This program is in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 29 CFR 1910.147 and the Texas A&M University System requirements for the control of hazardous energy.

PURPOSE

This program establishes requirements for the use of lockout/tagout devices in controlling hazardous energy. Lockout/tagout devices shall be used to ensure that equipment is stopped, locked out, tagged and isolated from all potentially hazardous energy sources, which could cause injury. This program shall be used as a guide to providing full employee protection from energy causing devices, training and periodic inspection to ensure compliance.

SCOPE

All employees of the Physical Plant Maintenance Shops shall receive training in, and follow the lockout/tagout procedures. All University employees shall receive notification of the establishment of this program. All outside firms contracting services with TAMUG shall be informed of, and required to comply with the program.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety Office

Conduct annual training for Physical Plant employees.
Monitor program compliance.
Recommend lockout devices.

Departments/Supervisors

Provide necessary equipment.
Conduct periodic inspections to ensure compliance.

Employees

Comply with the restrictions and limitations of the program.
Perform the lockout/tagout in accordance with the established procedures.

DEFINITIONS

Lockable
An energy isolating device is considered lockable if it has a hasp or other means of attachment to which, or through which, a lock can be affixed, or it has a locking mechanism built into it. Other energy isolating devices are capable of being locked out if lockout can be achieved without the need to dismantle, rebuild, or replace the energy isolating device or permanently alter it's energy control capability.

Tagout
The placement of a tag (warning) on an energy isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, indicating that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled may not be operated until the tag is removed.

Affected Employee
A affected employee is a individual who is directly affected by the shutting down of a piece of machinery or equipment.

Authorized Employee
A individual who locks out or tags out machines or equipment in order to perform services or maintenance. An affected employee becomes an authorized employee when that employee's duties include performing service covered under this section.

Energy Isolating Device
A mechanical device that physically prevents the transmission or release of energy, including but not limited to the following: a manually operated electrical circuit breaker; a disconnect switch; a manually operated switch by which the conductors of a circuit can be disconnected from all ungrounded supply conductors and, in addition, no pole can be operated independently; a line valve; a block; and any similar device used to block or isolate energy. Push buttons, selector switches and other control circuit type devices are not energy isolating devices.

Lockout
The placement of a lockout device on an energy isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, ensuring that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled cannot be operated until the lockout device is removed.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Lockout Procedure

Identify the need to control potential hazardous energy. Identify the type; and magnitude of the energy that the machine utilizes. Understand the hazards of the energy and the methods needed to control the energy.
Obtain the correct lockout device, personal locks, key and tag. Fill out the Lockout/Tagout Log Book.
Notify your supervisor and all affected employees that servicing is required on a machine or piece of equipment and that the machine or equipment must be shut down and locked out to perform the servicing.
If the machine or equipment is operating, shut it down by the normal stopping procedure. (Depress stop button, open switch, close valve, etc.)
Lockout the energy isolating device(s) with your personal lock(s). Each employee working on the machine or equipment shall place a personal lock and tag on the energy isolating device.
Stored or residual energy (capacitors, springs, elevated machine members, rotating fly wheels, hydraulic systems, and air, gas, steam or water pressure, etc.) shall be dissipated or restrained by methods such as grounding, repositioning, blocking, bleeding down, etc.
Ensure that the equipment is disconnected or isolated from the energy source(s). Check that no personnel are exposed, then verify the isolation of the equipment by operating the normal operating control(s), or by other testing to make certain the equipment will not operate.
Return operating control(s) to neutral or "OFF" position after verifying the isolation of the energy.
The machine or equipment is locked out and servicing may proceed when the authorized employee is satisfied that no energy is being produced, and no stored energy may be released.
In the event that servicing continues during a shift change, the authorized employee relieving the first employee shall be briefed on items 1-9. The first employee shall remove his lock and tag and the second employee shall install his lock and tag.
In the event lockout continues pas a work shift and the machine or equipment is left unattended, the lockout devices shall remain intact and all affected employees as well as your supervisor shall be informed.

Restoring Equipment To Service

Check the machine or equipment and the immediate area to ensure that nonessential items have been removed and that the machine or equipment components 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.
Remove the lockout devices and tags.
Re-energize the machine or equipment.
Ensure that the equipment is operating correctly.
Notify all affected employees and your supervisor that servicing has been completed and the equipment is operable.

Tagout Only Procedures

In the event that a energy isolating device is not capable of being locked out, a tagout device shall be attached at the same location that the lockout device would have normally been placed. Additional precautionary measures, as deemed necessary by the authorized employees' supervisor, shall be utilized to ensure that a level of safety is provided which is comparable to that obtained by using a lockout device.

Additional safety measures to be considered as demonstrating full employee protection are; blocking of a controlling switch, opening of an extra disconnecting device, or the removal of a valve handle to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent energizing. In certain circumstances, an employee may be given the assignment of standing by a connecting device to ensure the safety of the authorized employee.

Training

Training shall be provided by the Safety Office to ensure that the purpose and function of the Hazardous Energy Control Program is understood by Physical Plant employees and that the knowledge and skill required for the safe application, usage, and removal of energy control are acquired. Additional training shall include the following:

Physical Plant Supervisor's shall conduct annual training and incident required training of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.
Authorized employees shall instruct affected employees in the purpose and use of energy control procedures.
All other employees shall be informed of the energy control program, and about the prohibition relating to attempts to re-start or re-energize equipment which has been locked out or tagged.

Lockout/Tagout Log Sheet