FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
1.0
Purpose
To protect personnel and ensure
that machines and equipment are isolated from potentially hazardous energy,
whether it is steam, electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, or gas. Lockout or tagout must occur before
employees perform service, maintenance, or renovation. This is important where unexpected start-up
could cause personal injury, fire, or equipment damage.
2.0 Policy
2.1.
Employees must not attempt to operate any switch, valve, or source of
energy, which is locked out or tagged out.
2.2.
All equipment shall be locked out where possible. Where such control is not possible,
equipment may be tagged “out-of-service”.
In all instances, equipment shall be made inoperable to protect against
possible operation where such operation may cause personal injury or
damage.
3.0
Procedures
3.1.
When working on systems, which
could accidentally be activated, the system shall be locked out or tagged out
by use of a safety lockout device and padlock.
In addition, a tag shall be used to identify the purpose of the shutdown,
the employee involved, the date the unit was removed from service, and when the
system may operate again.
3.2.
The lock device, padlock, and tag
will be located in the lockout/tagout kit in the Building and Grounds work
area.
3.3.
If more than one source of energy is
present, all such sources must be locked out or tagged out. Special procedures must be followed to
ensure that the equipment is disconnected from an energy management system or
emergency generator system that may start or energize the equipment.
3.4.
A lockout is required on all
systems where possible. A tagout is an
unacceptable means of protection on systems, which are less hazardous.
3.5.
If more than one person is
involved in the repair, each person shall install a lock and tag to the
equipment energy source. An employee
may not use the tag or lock of another employee.
3.6.
When working with hydraulic,
steam, or air systems, bleed down the cylinders, block valves with a chain and
lock and attach a “DANGER” tag or sign to the control.
3.7.
After servicing, renovation, or
maintenance is complete, the area must be checked for tools, parts, removed
guards, and assurance that no personnel are in the danger zone. Then the lockout or tagout will be removed
by the same employee who initially locked it out so energy may be restore to
the equipment.
3.8.
If the employee who locked out or
tagged out the equipment is unavailable, the supervisor may remove the lock or
tag if the following conditions are met:
·
Verification that the employee who
applied the device has left for the duration of the shift and is not at the job
site
·
The supervisor makes a reasonable
effort to reach the employee.
·
The supervisor informs the
employee that the lock or tag has been removed and the system in no longer
de-energized, before the employee resumes work.
3.9.
Employees using lockout/tagout
devices shall have training about this program, and shall have annual
retraining to ensure that the employee understands and follows this
program. The training and retraining
shall be documented with the training records maintained by the training
coordinator.
3.10.
Outside contractors are
required to follow this policy or provide a similar policy that is in
compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard
1910.147. Under no circumstances are
outside contractors authorized to remove a College lockout/tagout device nor
are they allowed to energize a locked out/tagged out system.
3.11.
Lockout/Tagout Training
– the lockout/tagout program is designed to train employees on disabling
powered equipment from their power sources before beginning any servicing or
maintenance work. Lockout/tagout
training is required for all employees who may possibly need to lockout and
tagout equipment.
4.0
Lockout/Tagout
Procedures Checklist
The following steps must be followed in sequence to
properly lockout/tagout and re-establish energy:
4.1.
Shutdown
Procedures:
4.1.1.
Know what type of
energy the machine uses. Identify its
potential hazards. Find the switches,
valves, or other devises that control energy and need to be locked out.
4.1.2.
Let employees know that
you will be locking or tagging out the equipment and why.
4.1.3.
Turn off the machine or
equipment.
4.2.
Electrical:
4.2.1.
Locate the main switch
box or circuit breaker.
4.2.2.
Open the breaker, open
the switch, or remove the plug.
4.2.3.
Attach a lockout-enabling
device if the circuit cannot otherwise accommodate a padlock.
4.2.4.
Place plug in a plug
lock box.
4.3.
Valve Shutoff
4.3.1.
Locate and close the
shut-off valve.
4.3.2.
Apply the appropriate
ball valve, gate valve, donut, handle, or chain energy isolation device.
4.4.
Mechanical/Storage
Potential Energy
4.4.1.
Lockout enabling
device.
4.4.2.
Secure the
energy-controlling lockout by attaching a personal lock and completed tag to
the lockout-enabling device. If more
than one person will be performing the work, each must apply his own lock to a
multiple lock device.
4.4.3.
Release all stored
energy.
4.4.4.
If there is a heat
exposure, allow to cool
4.4.5.
Release any pressure
trapped between the shut-off valve and equipment.
4.5.
Release from
Lockout/Tagout
4.5.1.
Inspect the surrounding
area following completion of work loose tools, parts, correct valve settings,
system integrity, and exposed conductors.
Check that all machine guards are in place and reconnected if
applicable.
4.5.2.
Notify others in the
area that the equipment is about to be made operational and returned to
service.
4.5.3.
Remove personal lock,
tag, and lockout enabling device. The
same person who applied the tag and lock must perform this step.
5.
Definitions
5.1.
Electrical: Shock or
burn could result from contact with the exposed conductors line voltage or high
voltage equipment. Flying parts or fire
could result if this circuit were shorted.
Electricity should be controlled at the circuit breaker, main switch, or
fuse box.
5.2.
Pneumatic: High
velocity air impingement can inflict injury to the eyes, ears and to openings
or cuts to the skin. Airflow can cause
small objects to become airborne missiles.
Compressed air should be controlled at the shutoff valve, cylinder
control valve, or air line valve.
5.3.
Chemical: A gas or
liquid can produce illness or injury through its toxicity, flammability,
corrosively or reactivity. It can be
controlled from accidental release by turning the cylinder valve or gas line
control valve.
5.4.
Mechanical: Equipment
or machinery can inflict tissue or skeletal injury through crushing, laceration,
or impalement. This can be controlled
through the main electrical switch, plug, circuit breaker or anti-motion pin.
5.5.
Thermal: Can cause
burns or fires. It can be controlled by
the main electrical switch, electrical plug control, electrical circuit
breaker, electrical fuse box, steam valve, fluid line valve or shielding. Exposure to ultraviolet rays can result in
burn injuries to the skin and eyes. IT
can be controlled by the main electrical switch or electrical circuit breaker
or by using an appropriate shield.
6.
References
6.1.
Lockout/Tagout
Procedures of Southern Illinois
University at Edwardsville, dated March 27, 2002.
6.2.
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA), Standard 1910.147.
7.
Point of Contact
Garland Fenwick
Facilities Manager
(540) 727-3107
8.
Approval and
Revision Dates
Reviewed and
Approved by: Garland Fenwick (June,
2002)
President’s Council (July 3, 2002)