As an organization highly committed to safety, it was important to this premium retailer that they take a proactive approach to control any hazardous energy that could impact safety and/or the efficiency of their stores – and the sooner the better.
Protecting workers from hazardous energy through Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) is a basic safety responsibility, but there are additional steps employers can take that go beyond the basic requirements.
Utilities, equipment, machines, and HVAC systems often have sources of hazardous energy that require isolation during demolition and construction activities to keep contractor employees safe.
Maintenance activities guarantee the availability, reliability and safety of production equipment. While performing their maintenance roles, technicians are exposed to hazardous energy sources or unexpected starting up of equipment. These conditions increase the risk of injury or death. To prevent such accidents, companies devise machine-specific lockout tagout (LOTO) procedures.
Temporary workers should be protected from the sudden release of stored energy just as permanent workers are.
That reminder from OSHA comes in a newly issued bulletin on lockout/tagout that explains the joint responsibility of host employers and staffing agencies to ensure that temporary employees are properly protected against this serious – potentially fatal - workplace hazard.
A lockout tagout safety center, dust and fume collectors and hard hits that fit were among the top occupational safety and health products featured on ISHN.com this week.
Watch how easy it is to assemble and use LockPoint, the new mobile safety center, with our short video! This first-of-its-kind mobile safety center places LOTO equipment in close proximity to machinery which eliminates excuses to cut corners on safety.
Some companies may be reluctant to invite OSHA into a plant voluntarily but Mike DeSoto, chief operating officer of MI Windows and Doors, said the end result is "very worth it."
DeSoto spoke at the recent American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) 2018 Fall Conference about the need to implement a culture of workplace safety.
A new website from the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Manufacturing Sector Council features ways in which businesses and companies can safeguard employees from the release of hazardous energy during service and maintenance activities. This issue was taken up by NORA, the partnership program developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) which identifies workplace safety and health issues that require more attention and research.
Here’s a look at recent OSHA and state-level OSHA enforcement activities across the U.S., from Hawaii to Connecticut, in construction, manufacturing, food processing and other industries.