#protectivematerial

Lockout Devices typically Locks, hold energy Isolation Devices in a safe, off or neutral position. They provide protection by preventing machines or equipment from becoming energized because they are positive restraints, consequently. They should be substantial enough to prevent their removal by an authorized person without the use of excessive force or special techniques.

Tags and their means of attachment constructed must be substantial enough to minimize the potential for them to be disconnected, lost or accidentally removed. Tag attachment means are further required to be attachable by hand, and equivalent in strength to a one-piece non-releasable, self-locking cable tie. To meet these requirements, environment tolerant nylon cable tie that has an unlocking strength of about 50 pounds is used for attaching tags.

Check OSHA Guidelines - https://www.safetylock.net/learn-lockout-tagout/osha-29-cfr-1910-147-standard/

According to OSHA Standard 1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(A) - The Lockout Tagout devices must be DURABLE. The durability requirements are intended to ensure that the Lockout Tagout devices will not fail to perform their intended job. The LOTO Devices must be durable enough to resist the harsh environmental conditions - chemicals, abrasion and temperatures, to which they are exposed to for the expected period of time.

Tags and their means of attachment must be constructed and printed, so that the exposure to weather or other environmental conditions does not cause them to become unserviceable or the message on the Tag to become illegible. Using laminated Tags with reinforcing eyelets is generally adequate for the vast majority of work environment.

Tags so constructed, must also be durable enough to withstand the corrosive environment, especially the areas where acid and alkali chemicals are handled and stored.

To perform service or maintenance safely and effectively under Lockout Tagout, employees must be provided with protective equipment, hardware and appliances for isolating, securing, or blocking of machines & equipment from their energy sources. Under paragraph (c)(5) of the OSHA Standard, it is the employers’ responsibility to provide necessary devices. Protective material and hardware that may be needed include locks, tags, cable ties, chains, breakers and valve lockouts, wedges, blocks, blinds, pins, fasteners and other hardware.

When launching a lockout tagout program, a survey of the workplace is needed, not only to identify the machines, equipment and processes that are covered by the program, but also to become familiar with the configuration of the equipment. When ordering the necessary hardware, the employer must also ensure that the hardware meets specific requirements for design & construction.

Under paragraph (c)(5)(ii) it states that the Lockout & Tagout devices should be singularly identified. Which means- the best suitable device should be placed on the isolating point and should not be used for any other purpose apart from Lockout Tagout on machines & equipment.

Section A-D of paragraph (c)(5)(ii) specifies certain requirements of lockout Tagout devices, i.e. The device must be durable, Standardized, Substantial and Identifiable.

In paragraph 1910.147(c)(5)(iii), OSHA requires that the major message printed on the tag “warn against hazardous condition of the equipment is re-energized. Five examples of acceptable warnings are provided, including Do Not Start. Do Not Open. Do Not Close. Do Not Energize. Do Not Operate. In all cases, employees must know and understand the meaning of the Tag.