Lockout/Tagout Defintion
"Lockout/tagout" (LOTO) refers to specific practices and procedures to safeguard employees from the unexpected energization or startup of machinery and equipment, or the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance activities.
The standard requires, in part, that a designated individual turns off and disconnects the machinery or equipment from its energy source(s) before performing service or maintenance. It also requires that an authorized employee(s) either lock or tag the energy-isolating device(s) to prevent the release of hazardous energy and take steps to verify that the energy has been isolated effectively.
If the potential exists for the release of hazardous stored energy or for the reaccumulation of stored energy to a hazardous level, the employer must ensure that the employee(s) take steps to prevent injury that may result from the release of the stored energy.
Two States of Energy
Energy is the power for doing work. Energy exists in different types, but they are all associated with motion. Regardless of the type, energy exists in two basic states: potential energy and kinetic energy. Tensioned objects such as suspended loads have potential energy - energy that has the opportunity for motion. Releasing the load converts potential energy to kinetic energy, causing the load to drop.
- Potential Energy is stored energy that may be drawn upon to do work. Potential energy can be viewed as motion waiting to happen based on an object's position, such as the energy found in elevated, suspended, compressed, or coiled materials. Potential energy can be converted to kinetic energy to do work.
- Kinetic Energy is energy resulting from moving objects, such as released loads, uncoiling springs, and moving machinery. When these objects are released, their potential energy converts to kinetic energy.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-2. When a forklift is raised by a hoist, it has _____ energy. If it falls on a worker, the _____ energy can injure or kill.
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