LOTO Procedure

The **Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedure** is a systematic safety process used to ensure that machinery and equipment are properly shut down and cannot be restarted until maintenance or servicing is complete. This protects workers from unexpected equipment start-ups or the release of hazardous energy.

Here is a step-by-step **LOTO procedure**:

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### **1. Preparation for Shutdown**
- **Identify Energy Sources**: Locate all hazardous energy sources (e.g., electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical).
- **Understand Hazards**: Review the equipment’s manual or procedures to understand the risks and energy control methods.
- **Notify Affected Personnel**: Inform all employees who might be impacted by the lockout.

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### **2. Equipment Shutdown**
- **Turn Off Equipment**: Follow the manufacturer’s procedures to power down the machine safely.
- **Verify Shutdown**: Ensure that all moving parts have stopped and no residual energy remains.

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### **3. Isolation of Energy Sources**
- **Disconnect or Isolate Energy**: Use switches, valves, circuit breakers, or other isolation devices to cut off all energy sources.
- Examples:
- Turn off and unplug electrical power.
- Close valves for hydraulic or pneumatic systems.
- Block mechanical parts to prevent movement.

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### **4. Lockout/Tagout Application**
- **Apply Locks**: Place a personal lock on each energy-isolation point.
- The lock should be unique to the worker applying it.
- **Attach Tags**: Add a tag to each lock with the worker’s name, the date, and the reason for the lockout.
- Tags serve as warnings but are not substitutes for locks.

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### **5. Release of Stored Energy**
- **Drain, Bleed, or Discharge**: Release any residual or stored energy, such as:
- Draining pressure from pneumatic or hydraulic systems.
- Discharging capacitors in electrical systems.
- Blocking or bracing gravity-driven mechanisms.

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### **6. Verification of Isolation**
- **Test the System**: Attempt to restart the equipment using the control mechanisms to ensure it won’t power up.
- Always return controls to the "off" position after testing.

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### **7. Perform Maintenance/Servicing**
- Conduct the necessary work while the equipment remains locked out.

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### **8. Restoring Equipment to Service**
- **Inspect the Area**: Ensure all tools and materials are removed, and the equipment is safe to operate.
- **Inform Personnel**: Notify all affected employees that the equipment is ready to be re-energized.
- **Remove Locks and Tags**: Only the worker who applied a lock may remove it, ensuring accountability.
- **Re-energize Equipment**: Restore energy sources and verify proper operation.

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### **Key Principles**
1. **One Lock, One Key**: Only the worker who applies a lock can remove it.
2. **Always Verify**: Double-check all steps to ensure safety.
3. **Train and Audit**: Employees must be trained in LOTO, and procedures must be audited regularly.

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### **LOTO Equipment Checklist**
- Locks and Keys
- Tags (with identification details)
- Circuit Breaker Lockout Devices
- Valve Lockouts
- Blockers or Braces for mechanical parts

By following this procedure, workplaces can significantly reduce the risk of injuries or fatalities associated with hazardous energy.