Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)

Lockout/tagout (LOTO) is a safety procedure used in maintenance to ensure that equipment is properly shut off and cannot be restarted until maintenance or repair work is completed. This procedure is designed to protect workers from the unexpected energization or startup of machinery while they are servicing it and prevent the release of hazardous energy that could cause injury.

The LOTO process involves two key steps:

• Lockout: Physically isolating the energy sources (e.g., electricity, hydraulic pressure, gas flow) from the equipment using locks or devices that prevent the equipment from being powered on.
• Tagout: Placing a warning tag on the lock or device that indicates the equipment is under maintenance and must not be operated until authorized personnel remove the tag.

LOTO procedures are critical for ensuring workplace safety, particularly in environments with heavy machinery, electrical systems, or hazardous chemicals. Safety standards regulate the procedure, such as OSHA’s Lockout/Tagout standard in the United States, which requires organizations to implement LOTO practices to prevent accidents during maintenance.

By following LOTO procedures, maintenance teams can significantly reduce the risk of injury or fatal accidents caused by equipment being accidentally energized while under repair.