Lockout/tagout procedures are used to isolate hazardous energy sources from electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic machinery. Furthermore, when service or maintenance work is required, lockout and tagout devices help ensure personal safety from possible energy releases. All employees whose work involves hazardous energy sources must be trained in lockout/tagout procedures.

Before performing service or maintenance work on machines, turn them off and disconnect them from their energy sources. To further ensure employee safety, use lockout and tagout energy-isolating devices.

The following sections provide information on lockout/tagout procedures. In addition to the procedures in this manual, Texas State University - San Marcos maintains a Lockout/Tagout Program for the Control of Hazardous Energy. A copy of this document is available from the Facilities Department

Applying Lockout/Tag-out Devices

Only authorized employees may apply lockout/tagout devices. The following steps provide a brief outline of approved application procedures:

• Notify employees that the equipment requires service or maintenance and is scheduled for shutdown and lockout/tagout.
• Use established procedures to identify the type, magnitude, and hazards of the equipment's energy source. Make sure you know the proper methods for controlling the energy source.
• If the equipment is currently operating, shut it down using normal shutdown procedures.
• Isolate the equipment from its energy source by activating the energy-isolating device(s). Either lockout or tagout the energy-isolating device(s).
• Dissipate or restrain stored and residual energy using methods such as grounding, repositioning, blocking, bleeding, etc. (Capacitors, springs, hydraulic systems, and air/gas/water pressure system may contain stored or residual energy.)
• Ensure that all employees are removed from the equipment. Then, test the equipment for successful isolation by attempting to operate it.

¡IMPORTANT!
After verifying isolation, return the controls to neutral or off.

Removing Lockout/Tag-out Devices

When service and maintenance are complete, authorized employees may remove lockout/tagout devices and return equipment to normal operations. The following steps provide a brief outline of approved removal procedures:

• Inspect the work area and remove any nonessential items. Make sure the isolation equipment is intact and in good working condition.
• Ensure that all employees are safely removed from the equipment.
• Verify that the equipment controls are in neutral or off.
• Remove the lockout/tagout devices and re-energize the equipment.

NOTE:
The removal of some forms of blocking may require the equipment to be re-energized before safe removal.

• Notify employees that the equipment is ready for operation.