This Month, I want to briefly cover lock out tag out - briefly because most companies extensively cover this topic, with their own set of procedures and protocols.
For those who have not been so lucky to receive training in this area, I will outline the function and importance of lock out tag out in any situation to promote safety. Simply stated, lock out tag out is used to communicate hazardous and unsafe equipment by disabling said equipment and placing an obvious notice in the place where the equipment would be started/operated. There are several devices used to lock out equipment, for example:
Used together with procedures in place to do so, this system is very effective in keeping personnel safe. One thing that does seem to be understated - FILL OUT THE TAG CLEARLY AND COMPLETELY! AND COMMUNICATE VERBALLY WITH A SUPERVISOR AND THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT THE ISSUE! This is where another safety issue arises - when a technician is assigned to perform repairs on a piece of equipment, all the technician has to go on is what is written on the tag out tag. Case in point, I had a forklift tagged out first thing in the morning. The tag was placed by a worker from the graveyard shift, with nothing written on the tag! The only clue was that the propane tank valve was turned off, which never happened unless there was a leak. Sure enough, carefully opened the valve slightly, and nearly missed getting sprayed by the leak in the hose!
For those of us who have had these procedures drilled into them over the years, it is easier to apply them at home. For those who have not, and those who do not apply them to the homefront - I would invite you (speaking to myself, also!) to apply the same procedures for safety, lock out tag out and all other safety procedures for that matter. Your employer does not expect you to do your job with unsafe equipment - why treat yourself any different?
For those who have not been so lucky to receive training in this area, I will outline the function and importance of lock out tag out in any situation to promote safety. Simply stated, lock out tag out is used to communicate hazardous and unsafe equipment by disabling said equipment and placing an obvious notice in the place where the equipment would be started/operated. There are several devices used to lock out equipment, for example:
- Hooks with provisions for padlocks - to prevent panels from being opened
- Breaker covers - lock electric circuit breakers into the off position
- Cord plug "boots" - lock into place to prevent damaged cords from being used
Used together with procedures in place to do so, this system is very effective in keeping personnel safe. One thing that does seem to be understated - FILL OUT THE TAG CLEARLY AND COMPLETELY! AND COMMUNICATE VERBALLY WITH A SUPERVISOR AND THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT THE ISSUE! This is where another safety issue arises - when a technician is assigned to perform repairs on a piece of equipment, all the technician has to go on is what is written on the tag out tag. Case in point, I had a forklift tagged out first thing in the morning. The tag was placed by a worker from the graveyard shift, with nothing written on the tag! The only clue was that the propane tank valve was turned off, which never happened unless there was a leak. Sure enough, carefully opened the valve slightly, and nearly missed getting sprayed by the leak in the hose!
For those of us who have had these procedures drilled into them over the years, it is easier to apply them at home. For those who have not, and those who do not apply them to the homefront - I would invite you (speaking to myself, also!) to apply the same procedures for safety, lock out tag out and all other safety procedures for that matter. Your employer does not expect you to do your job with unsafe equipment - why treat yourself any different?
