Purpose
Whenever a person is working on an installation or equipment a safe system of work is required. When this work is other than the normal operation of the equipment, such as fault finding, maintenance or repair an increased level of risk is created.
Scope
This procedure applies to all workers of our company and visitors including contractors, volunteers, work experience students, trainees and clients.
Procedure
The lockout tag out system is to be incorporated in all work practices to help reduce risk.
Prior to commencing work on equipment all sources of hazard/energy and their isolation points are to be identified.
Possible sources include:
- Electricity
- Hydraulics
- Gravity
- Radiation
- Biological
- Chemical
Each person performing work is to be made aware of isolation points and is to effectively lockout or control all energy sources affecting their work; this allows for group lockout procedures, with an individually keyed lock and tags.
Note: The application of any lockout tag or device should be recorded in an approved Isolation Device Register.
Information recorded in the register should include:
- The name of the person who fitted the tag or lock
- The reason for fitting the tag or lock
- When the Tag or Lock was fitted
- When the Tag or Lock was removed (as applicable) and who approved its removal
Out of Service Tags
Out of Service tags are to be of a durable nature, marked with the worker’s name, contact (preferably mobile), company or section, date of placement, details of defect and signature. Tags will be yellow with black striping bearing the label “Caution” and/or “Out of Service”.
Out of Service tags are placed for the protection of the general populace or plant and are to be left attached to the device until the defect listed is remedied. Once the defect is remedied the issuer is the only person who may remove the tag, returning the device to service.
Danger Tags
Danger tags are to be marked with the worker’s name, contact (preferably mobile), company or section, current date of work and signature. This is a minimum requirement on the tag.
Tags will be white with red striping, prominently marked “Danger – Do Not Remove”.
Danger tags are to be placed only for the protection of personnel working on the plant, they are not to be left on after that person completes their work, or finishes their shift. Changeover procedures may be required in certain situations, or an Out of Service Tag is to be placed if an item is unfit for use after the worker has left.
Danger tags are to be used in conjunction with locks. Danger tags are to only be removed by the person who placed them. In the event they cannot be made available an approved procedure for determining their location, the status of the equipment, risk assessment and the removal of the tag is to be followed.
Personal Locks
Each person who is likely to be in a position to lockout a piece of equipment for work must be issued with a minimum of one individually keyed lock. This lock is to be used in conjunction with a Danger tag.
Locks are to only be removed by the person who placed them. In the event they can not be made available an approved procedure for determining their location, the status of the equipment, risk assessment and the removal of the lock is to be followed.
Lockout Devices
A wide range of devices is available to lockout various plant and equipment, whichever device is chosen must effectively prevent the isolation point from being operated.
Group Lockouts
Where multiple points of isolation are required, or multiple workgroups are in an area, approved group lockout procedures may be employed to enhance control of isolation Each worker must still be able to effect control over sources of energy likely to affect them.