OSHA Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) 29 CFR 1910.147 Overview
Workers performing service or maintenance on machinery and equipment are exposed to injuries from the unexpected energization, startup of the machinery or equipment, or release of stored energy in the equipment. The Lockout/Tagout standard requires the adoption and implementation of practices and procedures to shut down equipment, isolate it from its energy source(s), and prevent the release of potentially hazardous energy while maintenance and servicing activities are being performed. It contains minimum performance requirements, and definitive criteria for establishing an effective program for the control of hazardous energy. However, employers have the flexibility to develop lockout/tagout programs that are suitable for their respective facilities. This tutorial summarizes for you the key components of the standard in a "plain English" format. This tutorial is intended only to guide OSHA staff in understanding aspects of the Lockout/Tagout standard, not to substitute for compliance with the plain terms of the standard. Nothing in this tutorial is intended to diminish or otherwise affect OSHA's authority to enforce the requirements of section 1910.147 of the Act, nor is it intended to create any legally enforceable right or benefit in any person. Scope and Application Who does this standard apply to? General Industry workers performing servicing and maintenance on machines and equipment and who are exposed to the unexpected energization, startup, or release of hazardous energy. What activities or operations are covered? Any source of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other energy. Constructing, installing, setting up, adjusting, inspecting, modifying, maintaining and/or servicing machines or equipment, including lubrication, cleaning or unjamming of machines or equipment, and making adjustments or tool changes, where employees could be exposed to the unexpected energization or startup of the equipment or release of hazardous energy. Servicing and maintenance activities performed during normal production operations if: An employee is required to remove or bypass machine guards or other safety devices, or An employee is required to place any part of his or her body into a point of operation or into an area on a machine or piece of equipment where work is performed, or into the danger zone associated with the machine's operation. Who does this standard not apply to? General Industry workers performing servicing and maintenance on machines or equipment who are NOT exposed to the unexpected energization or startup of the machines or equipment, or the release of hazardous energy. _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
