ELECTRICAL SAFETY TRAINING – LOTO (LOCKOUT/TAGOUT)

Electrical Isolation is one of the important safety measures that have to taken while working on Electrical machineries. There are procedures for isolation and that procedures must give caution to other personnel who are not working on that particular equipment avoiding unnecessary operation of isolated equipment. This safety procedure to avoid hazardous energy is referred to as LOTO (LOCKOUT/TAGOUT).

LOTO ensures that machineries in which maintenance or breakdown job has to be carried out is properly isolated and free from dangerous energy sources.

LOTO has two step. First step, The personnel who is working Locks the equipment and keeps the key with him/her so that personnel can remove lock once the job has completed. Second step, Locked out equipment is Tagged by suitable Tag sometimes referred to as play cards (Danger sign poster). The example of LOTO as shown below.

LIST OF LOTO DEVICES

There are many ways and divices to lockout equipment. Some are discussed below

SAFETY HASP

Hasp is used with a padlock and has a slotted plate fitting over the staple to prevent its removal when locked.

Lockout Hasps clip is used in several different areas of a hazardous energy source, ensuring that it cannot be switched on (LOCKED OUT) and tagging it visually (TAGOUT). By clearly marking the lockout hasp with a date and name and attaching a padlock to the hasp, the hasp is efficiently used in a successful safety lockout program.

CIRCUIT BREAKER LOCKOUTS

Circuit breakers are the primary point of electrical isolation for maintenance workers. The lockout tagout procedure usually begins by turning off power at the circuit breaker. Circuit breakers are many in design and number. The physical size and the voltage they carry will significantly affect the type of lockout device needed. Lockout devices for circuit breakers are designed to attach to the moving part, usually a switch toggle (rocker switch) which moves from the on to off position.

FUSE LOCKOUT

Removing a fuse can be a reliable way of isolating power to electrical circuits where maintenance work is underway. But steps must be taken to ensure the fuse cannot be replaced, or an alternative fuse used. To achieve this a fuse lockout device is inserted into the fuse carrier and locked in place. This ensures no fuse can be inserted until the authorized person removes the lockout device.

PLUG & SOCKET LOCKOUTS

Locking a plug on an electrical appliance can be done for several reasons, for example, if the appliance fails, a locking device fitted to the plug can ensure that the appliance cannot be used until it has been repaired and re-certified.

CABLE LOCKOUTS

A cable lockout is a very versatile lockout device. A long flexible cable can be passed around an assortment of prime mover isolating devices e.g. Valve wheels and levers and electrical switchgear handles. The cable passes back into the locking device and is secured in place with a padlock.

SAFETY PADLOCK

Padlocks are an essential starting point of any lockout procedure.
The safety integrity of the lockout lies with the Padlock.
It is essential to ensure that the padlock can only be removed by the person who applied it or, in their absence, authorized personnel.

TAGOUT

Tagout placed on a piece of equipment to indicate that the equipment being controlled may not be operated until the tagout device is removed.

Lockout tags have been designed to be easy to read at a distance or in poor light conditions. Our Lockout tags are composed of rugged industrial-grade polypropolene and are designed to withstand the most demanding of conditions including Dirt and dust, High humidity, UV radiation, Harsh chemicals, Frequent wash-downs, Extreme temperatures

WATCH LOTO TRAINING VIDEO FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING

CONCLUSION

Lockout-Tagout is used in shipping industries as a safe method of working on hazardous equipment and is mandatory as mentioned in the work permit. Follow standard working procedures.

REFERENCE

• Total Lockout www.totallockout.com
• Lockout Safety www.lockoutsafety.com

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