LOT/General/TBT-LOT-001

Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) Awareness

Lock Out Tag Out › General › Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) Awareness

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Lock Out Tag Out is a procedure to ensure equipment is isolated from all energy sources before maintenance or repair.
Energy sources include electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, and gravitational energy.
Unexpected start-up of plant or release of stored energy kills and seriously injures workers every year.
LOTO applies to all plant, machinery, and systems that could cause harm if accidentally energised during work.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and PUWER 1998 require safe isolation before work on equipment.
A personal padlock must be applied by each person working on the isolated equipment — one lock per person.
Tags alone are not sufficient — physical locks must prevent the energy source from being restored.
Stored energy such as pressurised lines, raised loads, or spinning flywheels must be released before work begins.
Only the person who applied a lock is authorised to remove it — no one else may remove another person's lock.
Proving dead after isolation is essential — test the equipment to confirm all energy sources are fully disconnected.

Prevent electrocution	Accidental energisation of electrical systems during maintenance causes fatal electric shocks and arc flash injuries.
Prevent crushing	Unexpected start-up of machinery can trap, crush, or amputate limbs — LOTO physically prevents this from happening.
Legal requirement	PUWER 1998 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require safe isolation; breaches carry serious penalties.
Protect all workers	Multiple workers may be on the same system — multi-lock hasps ensure everyone is protected until all work is finished.

Don't

Follow the site LOTO procedure for every isolation — no shortcuts or informal methods.
Apply your own personal padlock to the isolation point before starting any work.
Attach a clear tag to your lock stating your name, date, and reason for isolation.
Prove dead after isolation — test the equipment to confirm energy is fully disconnected.
Release all stored energy including pressure, springs, and raised loads before work begins.
Use a multi-lock hasp when more than one person is working on the same system.
Keep the key to your lock on your person at all times during the isolation.
Inform your supervisor before applying or removing any LOTO device on site.
Check that all isolation points have been identified before beginning work on any system.
Remove your own lock only when your work is complete and the area is safe.

DON'T work on any equipment without confirming it has been properly isolated and locked out.
DON'T rely on tags alone — physical locks must be used to prevent re-energisation.
DON'T forget to tag your lock — unlabelled locks cause confusion and delays.
DON'T assume equipment is dead — always prove dead with a tested proving unit.
DON'T ignore stored energy — pressurised systems and raised loads remain dangerous after isolation.
DON'T share padlocks — each person must have their own individual lock and key.
DON'T leave your key unattended or give it to anyone else during the isolation.
DON'T isolate or de-isolate without following the formal permit and LOTO procedure.
DON'T remove another person's lock — only the person who applied it may remove it.
DON'T re-energise equipment until all locks are removed and the area is confirmed clear.

See also: Electrical Isolation | Verification of Isolation (Proving Dead)

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