Each year when OSHA reports its most frequently violated standards, the control of hazardous energy, also known as lockout tagout (1910.147) consistently appears high on the list of greatest offenders. In fact, citations for improper lockout tagout procedures ranked fifth on OSHA’s 2018 top 10 most frequently cited standards list, with nearly 3,000 violations.
OSHA’s General Industry’s standard for the Control of Hazardous Energy (LOTO) 29 CFR 1910.147 addresses one of the most important safety regulations to protect workers from injury: lockout/tagout. The standard requires workers to isolate energy during servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment to prevent the unexpected startup or release of energy.
Unfortunately, as with many OSHA requirements, they inform you “what” to do, but not “how” do it, and leave this part up to the employer. The challenge for many employers is the lack of knowledge or experience to effectively implement the OSHA lockout guidelines.
Compliance with the lockout/tagout standard prevents an estimated 122 fatalities and over 60,000 injuries each year, according to OSHA. Companies can comply with the requirements and help avoid lockout/tagout-related injuries and fatalities at their facilities by using J. J. Keller’s new Lockout/Tagout: Put a Lock on Hazardous Energy training program.Compliance with the lockout/tagout standard prevents an estimated 122 fatalities and over 60,000 injuries each year, according to OSHA. Companies can comply with the requirements and help avoid lockout/tagout-related injuries and fatalities at their facilities by using J. J. Keller’s new Lockout/Tagout: Put a Lock on Hazardous Energy training program.