Safety in Mining Industry

Lockout tagout is a protection system against unintentional exposure to hazardous energy from equipment and machinery. A lockout device, such as a padlock, secures the energy isolating device while a tagout device (i.e. a tag) warns employees not to use the equipment.

Importance

One of the most common workplace hazards is the release of hazardous energy during maintenance or repair work on machinery or equipment. This can result in serious injuries or even fatalities if proper safety procedures are not followed. One important safety measure to prevent such accidents is the implementation of lockout tagout (LOTO) procedures. By locking and tagging the machinery or equipment and isolating it from energy sources, LOTO reduces the risks of accidents and injuries. It also reduces the need for costly repairs or replacements and extends the lifespan of equipment.

What is the Difference Between Lock Out and Tag Out?

The difference between lock out and tag out is the device used. The lockout device stops employees from operating the equipment while the tagout device informs them that the equipment should not be operated. Essentially, a tagout device is the second layer of protection against unsafe equipment operation while a lockout device is the first layer.

Lockout Tagout and Machine Guarding

Though the machine guarding standard covers exposure to hazardous energy during normal production operations, it is important to remember that the OSHA lockout tagout standard (instead of the machine guarding standard) will apply during normal production operations if:

• the employee is required to bypass or remove machine guarding
• the employee could be injured due to the sudden energization of equipment

OSHA Lockout Tagout Standard

The OSHA lockout tagout standard generally applies to any activity in which the sudden energization or startup of equipment and machinery could harm employees. 

OSHA Lockout/Tagout Exceptions

• Construction, agriculture, and maritime operations
• Oil and gas well drilling and servicing 
• Installations under the exclusive control of electric utilities
• Work on cord-and-plug-connected electrical equipment in which equipment is unplugged and the authorized employee has exclusive control of the plug
• Servicing, maintenance, minor tool changes or adjustments, and hot tap operations wherein employees are sufficiently protected by other safeguarding measures

Who is Involved in a Lockout Tagout?

Aside from the safety supervisor who is responsible for lockout tagout, other key personnel involved are authorized and affected employees. 

• Authorized employees in a lockout/tagout are those who lock or tag equipment so that they can safely perform the servicing or maintenance.
• Affected employees in a lockout/tagout are those who operate the equipment on which servicing is performed or who work in the area where the servicing is performed.

Lockout Tagout Devices

Employers are required by the OSHA standard to provide lockout tagout devices that are durable, standardized, substantial, and identifiable. LOTO devices cannot be reused.

What is a Lockout Device?

A lockout device is a device that utilizes a positive means to hold an energy isolating device in a safe position and prevents the energization of equipment and machinery. Examples of lockout devices are padlocks, blank flanges, and bolted slip blinds.

Padlocks

In contrast to ordinary padlocks, these must be issued and standardized by the employer. They must only be used for lockout purposes and are distinguishable from all other types of padlocks in the workplace. Key-retaining padlocks are best for lockout purposes to ensure that the padlock is locked before the key can be removed.

A LOTO padlock should only have one key. Lockout locks should not be keyed alike, in which multiple padlocks can be opened with one key. If the use of keyed alike locks cannot be avoided, limit their distribution among employees.

What is a Tagout Device?

A tagout device is a prominent warning device that can be securely fastened to an energy isolating device and indicates that both the equipment and the energy isolating device cannot be operated.

Tags

Tags are vital because they act as warnings against potential hazardous conditions when equipment or machines are energized. They provide vital information on the lockout condition of equipment in maintenance and can even contain a photo of the one responsible for specific equipment.

Company-issued tags should be standardized and distinguishable from other tags, include instructions and warnings, be able to withstand the environment they are in, and be attached with a self-locking non-reusable device that can withstand at least 50 pounds of pull force.