ABSTRACT
An o t h e r important safety program that OSHA is sure to check on (if applicable) during an audit is the facility’s lockout/tagout program. Lockout/tagout refers to the control of energy, including electrical, chemical, hydraulic, pneu matic, thermal, and potential energy (e.g., energy that is stored in a compressed spring). Lockout/tagout procedures are designed to prevent accidents and injuries caused by the accidental release of energy. All facilities that perform equipment/machinery maintenance and/or system isolation must have a written lockout/tagout procedure. The facility’s lockout/tagout procedure must be the only acceptable method used to deenergize equipment and machinery and control the release of potentially hazardous energy.
