Why Is Lockout Tagout Important

What is Lockout Tagout?

Lockout Tagout (LOTO) is a simple yet effective safety procedure that protects workers from injury during equipment repair or maintenance. It is a standardized safety process that uses special locks (Lockout) to secure the equipment’s power, air, or energy sources, preventing it from starting up during maintenance. This helps prevent or reduce safety accidents.

Lockout and Tagout

why is lockout tagout important？

The importance of lockout tagout is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

Keeps People Safe

The main goal of Lockout Tagout (LOTO) is to protect maintenance workers from getting hurt. According to data from the U.S. OSHA, around 250,000 accidents happen every year related to this, with 50,000 resulting in injuries and over 100 being fatal. By using LOTO, the number of accidents can be effectively reduced, ensuring worker safety during equipment maintenance. It provides a safety guarantee for both the company and its employees.

Keeping Machinery Protected

Lockout Tagout (LOTO) not only protects people but also keeps the machinery safe. Without LOTO procedures, accidental operation can happen, causing equipment to start during maintenance. This can lead to injuries to maintenance workers and serious damage to the machinery. This is especially important for equipment crucial to a company’s survival. Such incidents can cause major production losses and result in high repair costs. Studies show that unexpected equipment start-ups lead to millions of dollars in repair costs each year. So, we need to focus on both the safety of our people and the safety of our equipment.

Preventing Accidental Startup

The core of Lockout Tagout (LOTO) is to prevent equipment from being accidentally started without permission. It uses Lockout devices to lock the power sources (like electricity, air, and other hazards) of the equipment. Tagout provides warnings around the machinery to ensure it is not started during maintenance or repair. By using this safety procedure, companies can significantly reduce the rate of accidents. This is crucial for preventing serious injuries or even fatal accidents.

Regulatory Compliance

Besides the issues mentioned above, there are also legal requirements for Lockout Tagout (LOTO) to ensure workplace safety. Laws help make sure that companies follow safety guidelines. For example, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1974, Section 5(a), states: “Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.”

In the U.S., the Workplace Safety, Health, and Welfare Regulations of 2007 require companies to use identifiable and effective methods to ensure that equipment is fully isolated from its energy sources. This prevents equipment from accidentally starting during repair or maintenance. Common practices include physical isolation and Lockout/Tagout procedures, which must be verified to ensure the equipment is in a safe state. These are mandatory legal protections. Using LOTO not only benefits a company’s own safety interests but also complies with legal requirements.

Maximizing Uptime

When a major safety accident happens, it often has a serious impact on a company’s entire production and operations. The process, from accident investigation and cause analysis to handling the accident and making safety improvements, can be long and difficult. This can severely affect the company’s production and operations. Therefore, safety is the key to ensuring a company’s efficiency. Lockout Tagout (LOTO) can prevent some accidents from happening at the root, reducing the chance of safety incidents as much as possible. This greatly improves the company’s operational efficiency.

Conclusion

In conclusion, any industry or company that doesn’t take Lockout Tagout (LOTO) seriously puts maintenance workers at great risk. This is irresponsible and could lead to legal trouble. LOTO is not just a standard safety procedure; it is a lifeline for a company’s operations. Choosing high-quality LOTO products means choosing the best safety protection. Lockey Safety Products Co., Ltd. is a professional manufacturer that specializes in producing all kinds of safety lockout products. Their products are used in many countries and regions worldwide and have received positive feedback from customers. Their products can provide a safe workplace for your employees and ensure safe operations for your company.