Lockout Tagout Question

Hey everyone,

Not sure if anyone here will know the answer.

I'm in Canada, and currently developing a LOTO policy for my company. My boss does not want to use tags, just lockout the equipment. Is there anywhere that states you have to have tags? Everything I've seen is about locking and tagging out the equipment, but I don't see it actually stated anywhere that yes, you do have to use tags.

Thank you for anything that can help resolve this issue, just remember, Canadian standards :)

Alicia

Hey everyone,

Not sure if anyone here will know the answer.

I'm in Canada, and currently developing a LOTO policy for my company. My boss does not want to use tags, just lockout the equipment. Is there anywhere that states you have to have tags? Everything I've seen is about locking and tagging out the equipment, but I don't see it actually stated anywhere that yes, you do have to use tags.

Thank you for anything that can help resolve this issue, just remember, Canadian standards :)

Alicia

As long as your lockout procedure is achieving the desired outcome (employees cannot turn on equipment or machinery while locked out), you should be OK. I would Check your local legislation to confirm..

Thanks for the reply :)

I assume that Canada follows the LOTO jurisdiction provided by OSHA. In which case OSHA 1910.147 “requires employers to establish a program and utilise procedures for affixing appropriate lockout devices or tagout devices to energy isolating devices….”

This can be interpreted to mean either locks or tags can be used.

But while legal compliance is fundamentally important, please remember the primary purpose of LOTO is to prevent accidents, not legal compliance.

You need to ask yourself whether a lock or tag used without the other will protect a persons’ life.

A padlock fitted to an isolating device cannot communicate its purpose, who put it there, why it’s there, how long it’s been there etc etc.

The addition of a lockout tag completes the picture.



totallockout

I have heard of people locking out equipment and then leaving for the day forgettting to remove the lock. In this case if it is determined to whom the lock belongs to (and they are no longer on the premises) the lock can be removed and production can start up. IMHO this can only be done if it is a very small company (even then for the price of a tag is it even worth it) or a tag is with the lock. .

Hey everyone,Not sure if anyone here will know the answer.I'm in Canada, and currently developing a LOTO policy for my company. My boss does not want to use tags, just lockout the equipment. Is there anywhere that states you have to have tags? Everything I've seen is about locking and tagging out the equipment, but I don't see it actually stated anywhere that yes, you do have to use tags. Thank you for anything that can help resolve this issue, just remember, Canadian standards :) Alicia

Alicia, LOTO is a provincial matter in Canada. Get the applicable provincial regualtions and make sure you apply them to the letter.You may want to tell your boss that  Canadian legislation can hold the company authority (your boss) criminally responsible for a workplace accident if it is proven that he bypassed due diligence in order to simplify a process. If he insists, keep a written record of the decision and you will be protecting yourself!Again check your provincial regulation on the matter.Tamale

A tag with the lock is the best way to go, however strictly speaking not required.  You do need a method to identify who the lock belongs to or who placed the lock on the locked out equipment.  This can be done through a numbering system and log, but a tag with the lock is easier.