What does "lockout/tagout" procedures entail?

"Lockout/tagout" procedures are critical safety protocols designed to prevent the accidental startup of machinery during maintenance and servicing. This set of procedures involves physically locking the energy-isolating devices of machines and tagging them to indicate that they must not be operated. By doing so, it ensures that workers are protected from potential injuries while performing their tasks.

Establishing these procedures is vital in creating a safe work environment, particularly in construction and manufacturing contexts where machinery is complex and can easily cause harm if not properly controlled. The process requires that before maintenance begins, all sufficient energy sources are identified and isolated, and locks and tags are applied to the necessary devices, thereby confirming that the machines cannot be inadvertently activated during servicing.