Control of Hazardous Energy (Lock-out/Tag-out)

Part 85 MIOSHA

1. Tag-out Devices
2. Lock-out Devices
3. Procedures
   1. General
   2. Plug/Cord and Hose - connected type equipment
   3. Electrically Powered Equipment

The procedures specified in this section comply with the requirements for the isolation or control of hazardous energy sources set forth in Part 85 or MIOSHA). The accidental release of energy during, maintenance work can and frequently does cause severe injuries, amputations, and death. Energy can be present in the form of electricity, potential energy (due to gravity) stored in elevated masses, chemical corrosivity, chemical toxicity, or pressure.

The only exceptions, allowed by MIOSHA, to these requirements are those situations involving "hot tap" operations. For this exception to be valid, the Hope College personnel involved must demonstrate that the continuity of services is essential, that shutdown of the energy source is impractical, and that documented (written) procedures and special equipment have been implemented that will provide proven effective protection,

These procedures apply to all maintenance or installation operations conducted at Hope College facilities.

1. Tag-out Devices

   Tags affixed to energy isolating devices are warning devices that do not provide physical restraint on those devices that a lock would provide. Any tag so attached to an energy isolating device must not be removed without authorization of the person attaching, it, and it must never be bypassed, ignored, or otherwise defeated. Tags must be legible and understandable in order to be effective. Tags must be made of materials which will withstand environmental conditions encountered in the workplace. When utilized, tags must be securely attached to energy isolating devices so that they cannot be inadvertently or accidentally detached during use. Tag-out devices must be substantial enough to prevent inadvertent or accidental removal.

   Tag-out,devices must wam against hazardous conditions if the machine or equipmeqt is energized and must include appropriate warnings such as:

   DO NOT START
   DO NOT ENERGIZE
   DO NOT OPEN
   DO NOT OPERATE
   DO NOT CLOSE
   

2. Lock-out Devices

   Lockout devices and practices vary by nature and function. Several effective lockout devices and practices are listed as, follows:

   1. Padlocks. Key operated padlocks are recommended and should be assigned individually,

   2. Multiple lock adapters will enable more than one worker to place their own padlock on the isolating device.to guarantee that the machine or equipment will remain deactivated until each and every employee completes their own task, and only then will the last padlock beremoved.

   3. Chains or other commercially, available devices should be used to prevent valves from being opened or, in some cases, closed The principle of multiple lock adapters still applies even when chains or other devices are used on operations requiring more than one employee.

3. Procedures
   1. General

      If energy-isolating devices are not capable of being locked out they must be modified so that they are capable of being locked out whenever major replacement, repair, renovation, or modification of the machine or equipment takes place. Whenever new machines or equipment are installed, energy-isolating devices for such machines or equipment must be designed to accept a lockout device,

      If an isolating device cannot be locked out for any reason, then additional steps must be taken to assure full employee protection such as removing fuses, blocking switches, blanking off lines, etc.

      If the machine or equipment is not capable of being locked out, a tag-out procedure must be documented and utilized. The tag-out procedure must provide full employee protection equivalent to a lockout system, For full employee protection, when a tag-out device is used on an energy-isolating device, the device must be attached at the same location that the lockout device would have been attached, and must demonstrate that the tag-out device will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to that of a lockout

   2. Plug/Cord and Hose-Connected Type Equipment

      When servicing or installing plug/cord or hose connected electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulically powered equipment, the cord or hose shall be disconnected from the equipment to be worked on, prior to starting the work. A tag warning against reconnecting the plug or hose shall be affixed to the plug or hose end,

      Any stored energy (e.g., capacitor voltage, hydraulic pressure) shall be safely released prior to the, start of maintenance or installation work.

   3. Electrically Powered Equipment

      Electrically powered equipment shall be de-energized and their source of electricity manually disconnected from them prior to the removal of protective covers or the start of other maintenance or installation work. It is important to recognize that locking and tagging on/off switches is often not sufficient to prevent accidental start up or prevent voltage from being present in the equipment. If the equipment is not wired properly (i.e., the polarity is reversed) or the switch is of the single pole type, voltage, can be present even if the operating.switch is in the off position. For these reasons, manual disconnects must be placed in the off position and/or the equipment's power fuses removed from the motor control center.

      The lock-out/tag-out procedure is as follows:

   4. Each person working, on the circuit or piece of equipment shall place a padlock and warning tag on the electrical, isolation device (e.g., disconnect switch).
      
   5. Each person working on the circuit or piece of equipment shall attempt,to energize or start the piece of equipment prior to starting work. Each on/off switch capable of energizing the equipment must be "tried."
      
   6. If the try step reveals that the equipment is capable of being energized, the proper disconnects must be located and locked out and the try step repeated.
      
   7. As each person completes his or her task, they shall remove their padlock and tag from the energy isolating device.
      
   8. All protective covers or panels shall be securely re-attached prior to energizing the equipment after work is.completed. In the event that protective covers must be removed to make adjustments on energized equipment, appropriate guards must be constructed and attached in such a manner as to prevent employee contact with live circuitry capable of causing human injury. Such guards must be of durable construction, adequate to prevent injurious contact, and remain in place at all times that the equipment is energized.