#maintenancetask

LOTO is intended to provide effective safety in the modern industrial workplace. It saves lives by protecting workers from hazardous energy, and it reduces downtime by streamlining and standardizing work processes. For successful implementation of Lockout Tagout in an industry, it is important to have awareness about LOTO and a well-developed LOTO System. Lack of knowledge and absence of LOTO system, leads to uncalled eventualities. Even with the re-occurrence of repeated incidences, the workers and the management are not sure that it is due to the absence of proper LOTO System in place.

The employer is to establish an Energy Control Program - comprising of the energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections, all of which help to ensure that the machine and equipment are properly isolated from their energy sources, and rendered inoperative prior to any servicing and maintenance.

A well-defined energy control policy and procedure helps in planned and systematic working of the machines and equipment; Employee training is needed to provide employees with knowledge, skills and motivation to effectively implement a successful Lockout Tagout Program; Audits & periodic inspections help companies insure that, they have the up-to-date & accurate devices and procedures that allow employees of the companies to safely de-energize the equipment.

Most of the injuries and fatalities in industries occur while workers perform service and maintenance tasks. The Lockout Tagout Standard set forth in 29 CFR 1910.147 covers the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in general industry. Activities such as construction, installation, setting up, inspection, etc. are defined by OSHA as services and maintenance.

These activities include lubrication, cleaning, unjamming, making adjustments or tool changes, are integral to the use of equipment. These are considered service and maintenance if employees are exposed to unexpected energization or startup of the machines or equipment, or release of stored energy could cause injury to employees.

Setting up: Many servicing or maintenance activities require the machine, equipment, or its components to be disassembled or dismantled. These tasks are typically performed with the equipment stopped.

The reassembling of machines and equipment after the servicing and maintenance task has been performed is called setting up.