Four words — variable conditions for shutdown — relating to compliance in OSHA safety regulation 1910.147 regarding the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), have enormous meaning for virtually any facility and anyone responsible for worker safety. OSHA requires separate lockout-tagout (LOTO) energy control procedures for individual machines that fit this description — every single one. Not only production equipment, but also pumps, boilers, air handler units, hot water heaters, you name it.
This can pose serious challenges beyond the number of machines involved, because “variable conditions for shutdown” covers multiple energy sources (electrical, water, gas and steam) and/or different power connections (circuit breaker, valve and plugs) and control procedures.