() 30.0 The purpose of the Energy Control Policy (Lockout/Tagout) is to ensure that before any employee performs any servicing and/or maintenance on machinery or equipment, where the unexpected energizing, start up or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury and/or death, the machinery or equipment will be rendered safe to work on. It is also to ensure effective implementation, operation, and recordkeeping of the University lockout/tagout program in compliance with 29 CFR 1910.147 which states that any equipment obtained or modified after January 2, 1990, will be installed with lockout capability. Lockout/tagout is the preferred method of isolating machines or equipment from its energy sources and shall be used whenever possible. If tags are used, additional steps shall be taken as necessary to provide the equivalent safety available from the use of a lockout device. This policy applies to all Facilities Management Group employees. 30.1 ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES Supervision shall be responsible for the following: 1. Ensure that employees under their control adhere to all parts of this policy. 2. Ensuring employees are trained and briefed on the lockout/tagout procedures. 3. Assigning qualified craftsmen to do the work. 4. Verifying the machinery or equipment before any work is performed. 5. Conduct annual reviews of their departments compliance with this police B. The employee shall be responsible for the following: 1. Adhering to all parts of this policy. 2. Attend training which is designed to instruct them on safe lockout/tagout procedures. 1. To know the different energy sources, dual energy sources, and the proper sequence of isolating or disconnecting the energy means 2. Notify their supervisor when they have questions about isolating energy sources safely, have observed non-compliance activities, or when problems are identified with equipment or lockout devices. 3. To install lockout/tagout devices prior to working on machinery or equipment. 4. To remove the lockout/tagout devices from machinery or equipment once work is complete. Page 1 of 12
C. The Occupational Safety Coordinator shall be responsible for the following: 1. Ensure that the policy remains current with all applicable Local, State, and Federal regulations and industry best practices. 2. Ensures that employees involved in this type of work are adequately trained and will provide training to qualified employees as the needs arises. 3. Offer departments and qualified employees consultation on safe procedures and policy requirements. D. Contractors who come on site to perform work for Arkansas Tech University must be responsible for the following: 1. Coordinating with the Facilities Management supervising department to ensure all attempts are made to comply with restrictions and prohibitions of the Universities energy control (lockout/ tagout) procedures. 2. Notifying the Facilities Management supervising department if the contracting company for which they work for respectively has their own lockout or tagout procedures. 3. Providing a copy of their respective lockout/ tagout procedures if one exists to the Facilities Management supervising department. 30.2 ENFORCEMENT Failure to follow the Arkansas Tech University Lockout/Tagout Program can result in life threatening or serious injury situations. Not following the Lockout/Tagout procedures set forth by this policy will also result in disciplinary action up to and including discharge. 30.3 TRAINING The supervising department shall provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program is understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of energy controls are acquired by employees. Training shall include the following: 1. Each authorized employee shall receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control. (REFER TO APPENDIX O-1: ENERGY CONTROL TRAINING ROSTER) Page 2 of 12
2. Each affected employee shall be instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control program. 3. All other employees whose work operations are or may be in an area where energy control procedures may be utilized, shall be instructed about the procedure 4. Prohibition relating to attempts to restart or reenergize machines or equipment which are locked out or tagged out. 5. Supervising departments shall maintain a current list of authorized employees. A copy of the list of authorized employees shall be forwarded to the Site Safety Coordinator and Director of Facilities Management. (REFER TO APPENDIX O-2: AUTHORIZED WORKERS) B. Re-training will be conducted when there is: 1. A change in their job assignments, 2. A change in machines or equipment that may present a new hazard or 3. Whenever the periodic inspection reveals or whenever there is reason to believe, that there are deviations or inadequacies in the employee s knowledge or use of the energy control procedures. 30.4 TAGOUT TRAINING OSHA has determined that lockout is a more effective means of ensuring the de-energization of equipment; it is the preferred method. However, OSHA recognizes that tagout must be used where the energy control device cannot accept a lock. If the energy isolating device is capable of being locked out, the standard requires that a lockout be used unless the employer can demonstrate that tagout will provide full employee protection, ( Tags Plus ) i.e., a level of protection that is equivalent to lockout. When tagout systems are used, employees shall also be trained in the following: 1. Tags are, essentially, warning devices affixed to energy-isolating devices, and do not provide the physical restraint on those devices that is provided by a lock. 2. When a tag is attached to an energy-isolating means, it is not to be removed without authorization of the authorized person responsible for it, and it is never to be bypassed, ignored, or otherwise defeated. 3. Tags must be legible and understandable by all authorized employees, affected employees and all other employees whose work operations are or may be in the area, in order to be effective. 4. Tags and their means of attachment must be made of materials, which will withstand the environmental conditions encountered in the workplace. Page 3 of 12
5. Tags may evoke a false sense of security, and their meaning needs to be understood as part of the overall energy control program. 6. Tags must be securely attached to energy-isolating devices so that they cannot be inadvertently or accidentally detached during use. 30.5 PERIODIC EVALUATIONS Periodically (at least annually) the effectiveness of the entire program will be evaluated by an authorized employee other than the one utilizing the energy control procedure being evaluated. Any deviations or inadequacies shall be documented and corrected. The date of the evaluation will be documented on the Annual Evaluation Report and maintained as a part of this program until the annual next evaluation replaces it. (REFER TO APPENDIX O-3: ANNUAL EVALUATION REPORT) 30.6 RECORD KEEPING The Occupational Safety Coordinator will maintain all lockout/tagout records. The department Supervisor will need to either forward all original paperwork or a copy of all lockout/tagout paperwork and records to the Safety office. These records must include but not limited to: 1. Certification that employee training has been accomplished and is being kept up-to-date. The certification shall contain, as a minimum, each employee s name and dates of training and a training summary 2. Specific written lockout/tagout procedures for equipment/machines covered by the program 3. Any completed Exchange of Lockout/Tagout forms 4. Completed Periodic Inspection of Energy Control Procedures forms for this equipment/machinery conducted annually Page 4 of 12
30.7 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS This procedure establishes the minimum requirements for lockout, blockout, or tag out of energy isolating devices. Specific procedures for control of hazardous energy sources may be required for equipment or machinery before any maintenance or servicing is performed, unless it meets the exceptions noted in section 30.7 Exceptions to the Lockout/Blockout/Tag out Rules. All such machines and equipment shall be evaluated. (REFER TO APPENDIX O-4: ENERGY SOURCE DETERMINATION) General requirements include: 1. All equipment shall be locked out, blocked out (blocks, blinds, etc.) or tagged out to protect against accidental or inadvertent operation when such operation could cause injury or death to personnel. Anyone operating or attempting to operate any switch, valve, or other energy isolating device that is locked, blocked, or tagged out will be disciplined. 2. Understand the work activities to be performed 3. If equipment is found without any identification as to its energy source, then the condition must be corrected via an appropriate labeling process. 4. Determination for the clearance should be generated prior to the work taking place. 5. Boundary clearances may not isolate all components within the work area. As such, craftsmen should evaluate potential safety hazards associated with local or remote operation of equipment adjacent to their work activities. IF a potential hazard exists, then the craftsmen should isolate the hazard if possible. 6. Any work performed on any equipment or machinery to include all associated circuitry, piping, support structures, etc., must be performed in accordance with governing codes and general industry practices. 7. Any employee who could be exposed to hazardous energy sources shall be thoroughly instructed in the safety significance of the lockout/tagout procedure. Employees authorized to perform energy control measures shall receive training commensurate with their responsibilities and as required by the applicable standards, regulations, or policies. Appendix O-2 is a list of names and job titles of employees authorized to conduct lockout and tag out. Each new or transferred affected employee and other employees whose work operations are or may be in the area shall be instructed in the purpose and use of the lockout or tag out procedure. The Section Supervisor or the senior authorized person on site will brief all affected employees individually. 8. Locks, chains, wedges, tags, or any hardware used must meet the requirements defined in CFR 1910.147 (c) (5)(ii). 9. Each lockout device shall only be removed by the employee who applied the device. Page 5 of 12
30.8 EXCEPTIONS TO RULES The required procedure for a particular machine or equipment is not needed when all of the following elements exist: 1. The machine or equipment has no potential for stored or residual energy or reaccumulation of stored energy after shutdown which could endanger employees 2. The machine or equipment has a single energy source which can readily be identified and isolated 3. The isolation and locking out of that energy source will completely de-energize and deactivate the machine or equipment 4. The machine or equipment is isolated from that energy source and locked out during repair and servicing 5. A single lockout device will achieve a locked out condition 6. The servicing or maintenance does not create hazards for other employees 7. The employer in utilizing this exception has had no accidents involving the unexpected activation or re-energizing of the machine or equipment during servicing or maintenance 30.9 PROTECTIVE MATERIALS AND HARDWARE The supervising department shall provide locks, tags, chains, wedges, key blocks, adapter pins, self-locking fasteners, or other hardware for isolating, securing, or blocking of machines or equipment from energy sources. Lockout devices and tagout devices must be singularly identified and the only device(s) used for controlling energy, and shall not be used for other purposes. In addition lockout and tagout devices shall also be: 1. Durable - Lockout and tagout devices shall be capable of withstanding the environment to which they are exposed for the maximum period of time that exposure is expected. 2. Standardized - Lockout and tagout devices shall be standardized in at least one of the following criteria: color, shape, or size; and additionally, in the case of tagout devices, print and format shall be standardized. 3. Substantial - Lockout devices shall be substantial enough to prevent removal without the use of excessive force or unusual techniques, such as with the use of bolt cutters or other metal cutting tools. 4. Tagout devices, including their means of attachment, shall be substantial enough to prevent inadvertent or accidental removal. Tagout device attachment means shall be of a non-reusable type, attachable by hand, self-locking, and non-releasable with a minimum unlocking strength of no less than 50 pounds having the general design and basic Page 6 of 12
characteristics of being at least equivalent to a one-piece, all-environment-tolerant nylon cable tie. 5. Identifiable - Lockout devices and tagout devices shall indicate the date installed and the identity of the employee(s) applying the device(s). 6. Tagout devices shall warn against hazardous conditions if the machine or equipment is energized and shall include a legend such as the following: Do Not Start, Do Not Open, Do Not Energize, or Do Not Operate. (REFER TO APPENDIX O-5: KEY POINTS FOR TRAINING) 30.10 PREPARATION FOR SHUTDOWN The authorized employee shall make a survey to locate and identify all isolating devices to be certain which switch(s), valve(s) or other energy isolating devices apply to the equipment to be locked or tagged out. More than one hazardous energy source and/or means of disconnect (electrical, mechanical, or others) may be involved. 30.11 SEQUENCE OF PROCEDURES 1. Notify all affected employees that a lockout or tag out system is going to be utilized including, the location and the reason why. The authorized employee shall know the type and magnitude of energy that the machine or equipment utilizes and shall understand the hazards associated with it. (REFER TO APPENDIX O-6: LIST OF AFFECTED EMPLOYEES) 2. If the machine or equipment is operating, shut it down by the normal stopping procedure. This is usually done by depressing the stop button, opening the toggle switch, etc. In addition, ensure that all stored energy is dissipated or properly restrained. 3. Operate the switch, valve, or other energy isolating device(s) so that equipment is isolated from its energy source(s). Stored energy such as springs, elevated machine members, rotating flywheels, hydraulic systems, and air, gas, steam, or water pressure, etc. must be dissipated or restrained. Combinations of these energy sources and any stored energy require a specific procedure. 4. Apply lockout/tagout device. a) Locks, blocks and tags shall be affixed to each energy-isolating device only by an authorized employee. b) Locks and tags shall be singularly identified. Page 7 of 12
c) Locks shall be affixed in a manner that will hold the energy isolating device a safe or off position. Locks should be labeled with the name and cell phone number of the owner. d) Tags, when used, shall be affixed in a manner that will clearly indicate that the operation or movement of the energy isolating device from the safe or off position is prohibited. e) Tags that cannot be affixed directly to the energy isolating device shall be located as close as possible to the device, in a position that will be immediately obvious to anyone attempting to operate the device. f) All potentially hazardous stored or residual energy shall be relieved, disconnected, restrained or otherwise rendered safe. If there is a possibility of re-accumulation of stored energy to a hazardous level, verification of isolation shall continue until that possibility no longer exists. Stored energy may require blocks, blinds, flanges, etc. in order to appropriately control stored energy. g) After ensuring that no personnel are exposed, operate the push button or other normal operating controls to make certain the equipment or machine will not operate. h) If the equipment may be operated from a remote station or computer control system the authorized employee MUST VERIFY that the equipment will not start remotely. CAUTION: RETURN OPERATING CONTROL(S) TO NEUTRAL OR OFF POSITION AFTER THE TEST IS COMPLETED. 5. The equipment is now locked out or tagged out. 30.12 TESTING/ POSITIONING OF MACHINES OR EQUIPMENT In situations where lockout/tagout devices must be temporarily removed from the energy isolating device and the machine or equipment energized to test or position the machine, equipment or part thereof, the following sequence of actions shall be followed: 1. Remove employees from the machine or equipment area. 2. Remove the lockout, tag out device. 3. Energize the machine or equipment and proceed with testing or positioning. 4. De-energize all systems and re-apply the energy control measures in accordance with the requirements set forth in this procedure. Page 8 of 12
30.13 RESTORING MACHINES OR EQUIPMENT TO NORMAL OPERATING MODE 1. After serving and/or maintenance is complete and the equipment is ready for normal operating mode, check the area around the machines or equipment to ensure that all employees, tools and materials have been removed from the area. 2. Remove all lockout or tag out devices. Operate the energy isolating devices to restore the energy to the machine or equipment. 30.14 PROCEDURES INVOLVING MORE THAN ONE PERSON If more than one individual is required to lockout or tag out equipment, each person shall place his/her assigned lockout device or tag out device on the energy isolating device(s). When an energy isolating device cannot accept multiple locks or tags, a multiple lockout or tagout device (hasp) may be used. If lockout is used a single lock may be used to lockout the machine or equipment with the key being placed in a lockout box or cabinet which allows the use of multiple locks to secure it. Each employee will then use his/her own lock to secure the box or cabinet. As each person no longer needs to maintain his or her lockout protection, that person will remove his/her lock from the box or cabinet. **Note** Employees will not give their locks, tags or keys to another person. 30.15 GROUP When servicing and/or maintenance is performed by a crew, craft, department or other group, a procedure shall be utilized which affords the employees a level of protection equivalent to that provided by implementation of a personal lockout or tagout device. Group lockout shall be utilized where complex lockout/tagout operations involve many employees and numerous energy- isolating devices. In such situations the supervising department may designate a primary authorized employee, with the primary responsibility for a set number Page 9 of 12
of employees working under the group lockout/tagout device(s). The primary authorized employee must implement and coordinate the lockout/tagout of hazardous energy sources and verify that the steps taken, in accordance with the specific written energy control procedure, have in fact isolated the machine or equipment effectively from the hazardous energy sources. This must be accomplished before authorized employees participating in the group lockout/tagout affix their personal lockout device to the group lockout/tagout box and before performing servicing/maintenance activities. In addition to the primary authorized employee, each authorized employee participating in the group lockout/tagout must be informed of their right to: 1. Verify the effectiveness of the lockout measures 2. Verify that hazardous energy sources have been effectively isolated, if they so choose 3. Verify the effectiveness of the isolation measures, and perform this verification after affixing his or her personal lockout device to the lock box and before performing servicing/maintenance activities Each authorized employee shall affix a personal lockout or tagout device to the group lockout device, group lockbox, or comparable mechanism before he or she begins work, and shall remove those devices when he or she finishes working on the machine or equipment being serviced or maintained. B. It is imperative that each authorized employee understands the following: 1. The hazards of the work and how to control the hazards 2. Have knowledge regarding the type and magnitude of the energy, the hazards of the energy to be controlled, and the procedure to be used to control the hazardous energy 30.16 REMOVAL OF DEVICE BY OTHERS Lockout/tagout devices shall be removed from the energy isolation device by the employee who applied it, EXCEPT: 1. Lockout/tag out devices may be removed by an Electrical/Mechanical Supervisor if the authorized employee who applied it is not available on campus 2. It is verified that the authorized employee who applied the device is not on campus Page 10 of 12
3. All reasonable efforts were made to contact the authorized employee to inform him/her that his/her lockout or tagout device is being removed 4. The authorized employee is made aware that his/her device was removed prior to resuming work at the facility 30.17 INFORMING OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS The Assistant Director, for the Office of Facilities Management and/or the Construction Projects Manager will inform all outside contractors of the elements of this program, and make sure the contractors understand the program and ensure that they are in compliance at all times. 30.18 SHIFT OR PERSONNEL CHANGES In the event of a shift or personnel changes, a change over period will be established so that the authorized employees may exchange their assigned locks/tags. Authorized personnel assuming control of lockout of equipment will be fully briefed in the scope and stage of the work by those who are being relieved of their duties. 30.19 ELECTRICAL WORK PRACTICES The adoption of the following elements for electrical work is designed for in facility electrical work. This adoption of the following requirements is not intended to be used for high voltage work (over 600 volts), or exposure to overhead power lines. NOTE: Working on energized parts requires the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment. The Electrical/Mechanical Supervisor and the Occupational Safety Coordinator will be responsible for specifying appropriate personnel equipment to be used, to ensure compliance with 29 CFR 1910.355. Personal protective equipment for electrical hazards shall meet, be utilized and maintained in accordance with ANSI J6.1 through J6.7. Qualified employees for electrical work shall be aware of and follow the approach distance for qualified employees regarding alternating current as specified in Table S-5, 29 CFR 1910.333. Page 11 of 12
30.20 ACCIDENTS CONCERNING LOCOUT/TAGOUT The Electrical/Mechanical Supervisor and the Occupational Safety Coordinator will be responsible for fully investigating all lockout/tagout accidents or incidents to determine the cause of such accidents/incidents and report such information to the Director of Facilities Management. If the accident/incident involved the control of hazardous energy with a single lockout source, a specific procedure will be developed before work will be continued. If the accident/incident involved a specific procedure for a piece of equipment, the lockout/tag out specific procedure will be evaluated and modified (if necessary) prior to authorizing work to continue. REFERENCES: 1. State of Arkansas Energy Control Program for Mechanical Lock- out/tag out/blockout and Electrical Work Practices 2. NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace 3. Purdue University Lockout/tagout Program 4. OSHA Lockout/ tagout Standard 29 CFR 1910.147 Page 12 of 12