1. Notification
Authorized employees must notify all other affected employees of the application and removal of lockout/tagout devices. Notification shall be given before the controls are applied and before they are removed from the machine or equipment.
- 2. Preparation for Shutdown
Before an authorized or affected employee shuts down a machine or equipment, the authorized employee shall have the knowledge of the type and magnitude of the energy, the hazards of the energy to be controlled, and the method or means (locks) to control the energy sources.
- 3. Machine or Equipment Shutdown
The machine or equipment shall be shut down using the procedures established for that machine or piece of equipment. The shutdown shall be orderly to avoid any addition hazards to employees as a result of the stoppage.
- 4. Machine or Equipment Isolation
All energy isolating devices that are needed to control the energy to the machine or equipment shall be physically located and operated in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source(s).
- 5. Lockout/Tagout Devices and Application
- Each authorized employee shall have the proper number of locks and devices to be able to independently of each other perform proper lockout/tagout procedures for machines or equipment that they may be working on.
- Lockout or tagout devices shall be affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees.
- Each lockout and tagout devices shall include the name of the individual placing the device.
- Lockout devices shall be affixed in a manner to hold the energy isolating devices in a safe or off position.
- Tagout devices shall be affixed in a manner that will clearly indicate that the operation or movement of isolating devices to the safe or off position and prohibiting the operation of the control device.
- Tagout devices used with energy isolating devices with the capability of being locked out shall be fastened at the same point at which the lock would have been attached. If a tag cannot be directly attached to the energy isolation device it shall be located as close as safely as possible to the device in a position that will be immediately obvious to anyone attempting to operate the device.
- Each energy source shall be locked out completely isolating the equipment.
- If more than one employee is involved, the employee who disconnected and locked out the power supply shall communicate the purpose and status of the disconnecting and locking out.
- Isolating machines or equipment shall include, but are not limited to:
- Pumps, compressors, generators, electric distribution, storage tanks, etc.
- Each type of equipment, including isolating pipes and pipelines, to be isolated shall have specific documented procedures for isolation, i.e. for compressors: suction, discharge, power, starting, fuel, dumps shall be closed, locked and tagged out properly.
- For pipes and pipelines see #8.
- 6. Stored Energy and the Possibility of Re-accumulation
Following the application of lockout or tagout devices to energy isolating devices, all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy shall be relieved, disconnected, restrained and otherwise rendered safe.
- If there is a possibility of re-accumulation of stored energy, verification of isolation shall be continued until the servicing or maintenance operation is completed, or until the possibility of such accumulation no longer exists.
- 7. Verification of Isolation
Before commencing work, the authorized employees who initiated the lockout procedure verifies/ensures that the equipment is isolated or disconnected from the energy source(s) by first checking that no personnel are exposed, then verify the isolation of the machine or equipment by operating the control(s) or by testing to make certain the equipment is inoperative.
- 8. Isolating Pipes and Pipelines Requirements
In order to ensure that harmful substances under pressure are not released, our Company will utilize the following methods (with Disconnection/Misalignment as the preferred method):
- Blinding - Install full-rated blind(s).
- Disconnection/Misalignmenthis involves physically removing part of the equipment, or misaligning piping. Isolation devices shall then be attached as close to the energy source as possible and listed on the Energy Isolation Log.
- Double Block and Bleed - This involves three valves: two block valves and a bleed valve in between. For Energy Isolation purposes, all three valves shall be tagged with a "Danger" tag and listed on the Energy Isolation Log. In addition, the two block valves shall be locked.
- Single Block - This involves closing one block valve, then applying locks and tags. Note, this option requires the prior approval of the supervisor.
- Note: Control valves shall not be used for energy isolation.
Remote operated valves, designed for positive pressure containment, can be used provided they are disconnected from all Energy Sources and manually closed.