Introduction to Lockout Tagout (LOTO)
Industries heavily rely on machinery and equipment to carry out industrial processes successfully. However, safety is equally important when it comes to handling machines, especially during their maintenance. That is when the Lockout Tagout (LOTO) procedure comes to help, as it ensures the safety of employees and workers during the servicing or maintenance of industrial machinery and equipment. With the risk of machines and equipment starting up suddenly during the maintenance process, it can result in severe injuries. To prevent such accidents in the workplace, the implementation of the Lockout Tagout procedure is a must in every industry. It helps in creating a safe work environment for employees by protecting them from such accidents. Let’s explore more about Lockout Tagout and their need for workplace safety through this blog.
Lockout Tagout (LOTO) – Crucial Safety Procedure for Workplace Safety
Lockout Tagout (LOTO) is designed to ensure that heavy machines that undergo maintenance and servicing are properly shut off and do not start again or do not release hazardous energy. It is mandatory to prevent accidental start-up of machines during maintenance and repair to protect workers at the site. LOTO is a systematic process that involves several steps for disabling machines and equipment to inhibit sudden start-up or energy release, ensuring a safe environment for employees to perform tasks. The Lockout Tagout procedure includes two key components that are:
Lockout – In this, a physical lock is used to secure the energy-isolating devices of industrial machines and equipment safely. To ensure that no one can accidentally restart the machine, industries assign the responsibility of locks to employees for complete protection.
Tagout – Once the locks are placed on the machines and equipment, tags are placed on them to make other employees working around the machine aware of the same. These tags have warning signs and information written on them along with the date till which the machines are under maintenance and service and should not be in use.
Why is Lockout Tagout crucial for workplace safety?
As mentioned above, Lockout Tagout is a critical safety procedure that holds great importance in preventing accidents and ensuring workplace safety. Its adherence is a must to avoid the sudden start of industrial machines or to avoid the release of harmful energy from machines or industrial equipment. It is one of the reasons why it is advised that employees carefully follow and implement each step of the lockout and tagout process. Being in this business for a long, we at Globalite Safety are contributing to this process by supplying different types of padlocks and other crucial devices related to the Lockout Tagout procedure to different industries. Let’s discover through this blog why Lockout Tagout is crucial for workplace safety.
Helps in preventing the accidental start-up of industrial machines
The unexpected start of industrial machines and equipment can cause severe damage to both machines and life. It can cause accidents at the workplace, causing severe injuries and death. There are several workers involved in the maintenance of heavy-duty machines, and if they are not shut off properly, the workers may get exposed to the moving parts of these machines, resulting in injuries. That is why the Lockout Tagout procedure is a must in every industry when machines are sent for maintenance and servicing.
Important for controlling the release of hazardous energy
Industrial machines are sources of electrical energy, mechanical energy, and a few other types of hazardous energy. They may end up releasing these hazardous energies if they are not closed properly before the beginning of the maintenance process. Workers exposed to such energies can get electrical shocks or may bear physical damage. However, when the lockout tagout procedure is implemented, these industrial machines will be de-energized safely to avoid such dangerous incidents.
Enables maintenance and servicing of industrial machines safely
When the lockout tagout steps are followed sincerely, it reduces the risk attached to the machines and equipment during the maintenance process. It allows workers to stay at ease and focus on the maintenance process without worrying about any accidents. It offers a sense of security and safety in the minds of workers and lets them repair the machines in the right way.
Facilitates the adherence to rules and regulations for worker’s safety
OSHA has formulated these rules and regulations to ensure the safety of workers at the workplace. The presence of procedures like lockout tagout (LOTO) makes it easier to adhere to all those rules and regulations easily. It consists of a step-by-step procedure that ensures that safety is maintained at the workplace to keep workers safe and free from any accidents. Though LOTO is only a small initiative designed by OSHA, it helps protect workers from accidents that may cause crushing, amputation, and death as well.
Protecting the lives of workers and offering them a safe work environment
Lockout The tagout procedure might look like a set of rules and regulations to be followed by industries. However, its focus on workers’ well-being and safety makes it a crucial process to follow in every industry these days. It is one of the reasons why OSHA has made it mandatory to implement LOTO in all industries that have employed dangerous or heavy-duty machines at their manufacturing facility. A safe work environment not only develops confidence in workers but it also improves the overall productivity.
At Globalite Safety, we understand the importance of workplace safety, and that is why we adhere to all the industrial standards when manufacturing important components that are relevant to Lockout Tagout procedure including padlocks, machine locks, and other such devices to support this procedure. We are one of the ISO-certified manufacturers designing and supplying a premium range of Lockout Tagout devices to all our customers in India as well as across the world. One can connect with us to get the best quality lockout tagout padlocks, electrical panel lockout, cable lockout, valve lockout, pneumatic lockout, and many more such devices that are helpful in maintaining safety at the workplace.
