3.6 – Lockout & Tagout

Introduction

Tag and lockouts ensure that the operational status of any operating system remains unchanged while it is being used or worked on. Operating systems include: rotating equipment, electrical installations, instrumentation, vessels, underground and above ground piping systems, heavy equipment and any other equipment with the potential to release hazardous mechanical energy.

Guidelines

When performing work on energized equipment (electrical, mechanical, etc.) a proper lockout procedure must be used to ensure all equipment is secured in a zero-energy state.

Any equipment or controls that might be pressurized must be blocked in and de-pressured by qualified personnel before work commences.

Tags

Tags must be attached to the isolation point to ensure that the equipment or operating system is not operated and remains safe for others to work on.

Tags are used to protect personnel exposed to hazards of an operating system and must be respected by all workers. The worker responsible for the operating system must isolate and tag the installation.

Any device which has a tag attached must not be operated or altered by anyone. If a device within an operating system must be operated intermittently for testing, etc. the tag must be removed by a designated worker before each operation.

The tag may be removed only by the worker who installed it and after the task is complete.

Lockout

After a worker has isolated and tagged any electrical system or piece of rotating equipment, each Supervisor in charge of a crew of workers must install their padlock on the lockout device for worker and property protection.

The lock may be removed only by the worker who installed it and after the task is complete.