Posts Tagged ‘lock-out-tag-out’

Are You Creating Effective Lockout Tagout Procedures?

by Julianne Bass

lock-out tag-out.jpg

Someone stealing your lunch at the office or maybe a pesky neighbor keeps coming over unannounced? What do these have to do with lockout? Well besides that fact that it sounds like you’re off to a pretty rough start to the day if the first 2 apply, but they can be solved with proper “lockout” procedures. Safety locks and tags do that on a larger scale, with much more costly problems when not used. Leaving your workers unprotected against accidental start ups lead to serious consequences. Just because someone is not in sight working on a machine, does not mean that it is okay to re-energize a machine that has been brought to complete zero.

The question is how is someone supposed to know whether work is being performed without some sort of indicator? Making sure that the proper procedures are in place to protect workers, carrying out their maintenance responsibilities, falls in the lap of business management. When the ball is dropped OSHA takes notice and steps in. Just recently a Newark gas company was fined over 50K for repeat and serious violations regarding lock-out tag-out. If given the option, most companies would probably choose not to have 50k worth of avoidable fines eating into their profits.

Although at first glance creating lock-out tag-out procedures feels like a daunting task, most companies should at least have the shell of some, especially if the work of their facility would require a program. However, if time has gotten the best of you as it does with everyone sometimes, blow the dust off of what you have and get down to business. Lock out tag out OSHA procedures make it very easy to comply with helpful resource to walk a facility through what the need to have. They provide an example of what typical, minimal procedures should look like. In Addition, they have an interactive lock-out tag-out training program, case studies, and frequently asked questions.

When you begin to look at your procedures keep these questions in mind:

  • How many workers need to be briefed on lock-out tag-out procedures?
  • Where is the pain-point or downfalls in your current system? This is a great way to get workers involved and hear their feedback.
  • Is your equipment able to be completely de-energized and locked out? If now how will you ensure that your tag-out procedures are just as effective as locks?
  • How does the communication process flow to ensure all of the necessary parties are notified when a machine is locked out?
  • Do you have proper lockout tagout devices and signage posted in plain sight to act as a first line of notification to all entering into a hazardous area?
  • What are employees required to do before, during, and after a machine is locked out, as the person carrying out the maintenance, and as the workers working around the locked out machine?

Do you think there are holes in your lockout tagout program that should be addressed? Make it a point to start improving your procedures and the safety of your employees this National Safety Month. Start Using LoTo safety locks and tags today!

Preventing Facility Hazards: Electrical Safety Tips You Need to Know

by Julianne Bass

electrical safety

Three of the top ten OSHA electrical safety violations are electrical in nature; in addition 5% of all on the job fatalities are due to improper interaction with electricity, proving that electrical hazards are a literal force to be reckoned with and require the proper attention from safety managers when assessing facility safety programs.

Here are 10 electrical safety tips to keep in mind when protecting your workers from electrical hazards.

  1. Electrical Safety is important, any workplace and position can be affected by electricity. Before you begin your day make note of any electrical equipment you may come in contact with and ensure that it is properly grounded before use.
  2. Standing in any type of wetness while using an electrical device of any kind is not a good idea. Try to avoid it whenever possible, this includes power tools, tablets, mobile phones, etc.
  3. Assume power lines are always energized whenever your works brings you to an area where you need to be around them. Use non-conductive materials, and tools when near them.
  4. A standard operating procedure in electrical safety to bring any machine being worked on to complete zero, fully de-energized before beginning repair or services.
  5. After bringing a machine to complete zero for servicing, always use proper lock out protocol to prevent co-workers from re-energizing a machine while it is being worked on.
  6. Never wear rings, watches, wristbands, or use metallic pencils or rulers while working with electrical equipment.
  7. Ask can this job be completed with one hand? Only using one hand to work reduces the chances of electricity going through the chest cavity in the event of an accident.
  8. If a spill happens on or near a machine do not try to clean it up. Shut the machine down completely and unplug it.
  9. Never touch electrical equipment unless you are specifically instructed to do so. It is advisable to consider the use of electrical safety signs, and make sure your hands are not wet or sweating and as precaution use the back of your hand if possible.
  10. The NFPA 70E Requirement were just made in 2015, refer to the changes to see what your facility should now be doing differently to ensure maximum workplace electrical safety.