A guide to a successful lockout/tagout program by Brady Worldwide Inc.
There have been countless articles and guides that outline all the key components to a successful lockout/tagout program. However, it goes beyond just purchasing padlocks, tags, and lockout devices. Even with a solid written plan, the ultimate success depends on your employees properly applying the lockout hardware according to your established procedures.
Even though lockout standards, such as OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 (The Control of Hazardous Energy for General Industry), OSHA 29 CFR 1915.89 (Lockout/Tags-Plus for the Maritime Industry), and OSHA 29 CFR 1926.417 (Lockout and Tagging of Circuits for the Construction Industry), have been in effect for more than 20 years, this remains the third-most-frequent citation in general industry and the fifth-most-cited overall OSHA violation. With this in mind, it is critical to ensure your employees are informed of the latest technologies, standards, and training requirements in order to reduce citation costs, improve productivity, and eliminate injuries.