Lockout Tagout for Affected Employees Training

**Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) for Affected Employees Training** is designed to educate workers who are affected by the lockout or tagout procedures on how to stay safe when equipment is being serviced, maintained, or repaired. Affected employees are those who work in or near areas where lockout/tagout procedures are being implemented but are not directly involved in the servicing of the equipment. It's crucial that they understand the procedures to ensure their safety and avoid inadvertent exposure to hazardous conditions.

The purpose of the LOTO training is to ensure that all employees—whether or not they are directly working on equipment—know how to recognize when equipment is locked or tagged out, understand the risks, and follow appropriate safety protocols to avoid injury.

### **Key Components of Lockout/Tagout for Affected Employees Training**

#### 1. **Understanding Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)**
- **Lockout**: The placement of a lock on an energy-isolating device to prevent the accidental release of hazardous energy during maintenance or servicing.
- **Tagout**: The placement of a tag on an energy-isolating device indicating that the equipment is being serviced and should not be operated.
- **Energy Sources**: LOTO procedures apply to equipment that has energy sources, such as electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, or chemical energy.

#### 2. **Why LOTO Procedures Are Important**
- **Prevent Accidental Startups**: LOTO procedures ensure that machines or equipment are not accidentally turned on or activated during maintenance or repair, which could result in serious injuries or fatalities.
- **Protect Workers**: Workers involved in maintenance or repair work rely on LOTO to isolate the energy sources and prevent unexpected releases of energy. Affected employees also need to be aware of these precautions to stay safe in the vicinity.
- **Compliance with Regulations**: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires lockout/tagout procedures to be in place and followed to ensure worker safety when performing maintenance on machinery and equipment.

#### 3. **Who Are Affected Employees?**
- **Definition**: Affected employees are those who operate equipment that is being serviced or repaired but are not directly involved in the maintenance activities. They are often exposed to the potential hazards of energized equipment but are not directly working with the equipment.
- **Examples**: An employee working near a machine while it is being repaired, or a worker in a factory who operates machinery that may be locked out while it is undergoing maintenance.

#### 4. **Key Concepts Affected Employees Must Know**
- **Recognizing Lockout/Tagout Devices**: Affected employees must be able to identify lockout devices (locks, hasps, etc.) and tagout devices (tags indicating the equipment is out of service).
- **Lock**: Physical device used to prevent the release of stored energy by locking the equipment in an off position.
- **Tag**: Warning label placed on an energy-isolating device to communicate that the equipment is being serviced and should not be operated.
- **Understanding the Importance of Lockout/Tagout**: Affected employees should understand that LOTO is a safety measure to protect the workers performing maintenance and everyone else in the vicinity. They must not attempt to start or operate any locked-out equipment.
- **Impact of Non-Compliance**: Emphasize the potential dangers of ignoring lockout/tagout procedures, such as electrical shock, burns, entanglement, or other serious injuries.

#### 5. **Responsibilities of Affected Employees**
- **Do Not Attempt to Operate Locked/Tagged Equipment**: Affected employees should never attempt to operate or tamper with machines or equipment that are locked out or tagged out. They must always assume that equipment is dangerous when it is tagged or locked.
- **Notify Supervisors**: If an affected employee notices that a machine or piece of equipment is tagged or locked out, they must notify their supervisor or the person performing the maintenance to ensure that the equipment remains de-energized.
- **Avoid the Area During Lockout/Tagout**: Whenever possible, affected employees should avoid the immediate area where LOTO procedures are being conducted, as there may be hazards associated with the process.

#### 6. **What Happens During LOTO Procedures**
- **De-energizing the Equipment**: When equipment is locked or tagged out, all energy sources (electricity, pressure, hydraulic systems, etc.) are disconnected, disabled, or otherwise rendered inoperable.
- **Verification**: Once the energy sources are isolated, the energy isolation devices are locked or tagged, and a qualified worker verifies that the equipment cannot be energized. Affected employees should stay clear of the area until the work is complete.
- **Work Completion**: When the maintenance or repair work is finished, the equipment is checked to ensure it is safe to operate. The lockout/tagout devices are removed, and the equipment is returned to normal operation.

#### 7. **Emergency Procedures**
- **In Case of an Emergency**: Affected employees should know how to respond in case of an emergency where locked-out or tagged-out equipment needs to be operated or re-energized quickly. This usually involves contacting the maintenance team and following the appropriate emergency procedures.
- **Re-Energizing Equipment**: Affected employees should never attempt to remove lockout/tagout devices themselves. Only authorized personnel are permitted to remove locks or tags once the work has been completed.

#### 8. **Effective Communication**
- **Communication with Authorized Employees**: Affected employees should understand the importance of clear communication with the workers performing the maintenance or servicing tasks. This includes:
- Verifying the status of the equipment.
- Understanding when the equipment will be returned to service.
- Reporting any concerns about safety or potential hazards.
- **Understanding the Lockout/Tagout Plan**: Affected employees should be aware of the specific LOTO procedures used at their workplace, including who is responsible for locking out/tagging out equipment, and when and how the lockout/tagout will take place.

### **9. Lockout/Tagout Training for Affected Employees**
- **Awareness Training**: Affected employees should undergo general LOTO awareness training that covers:
- The definition and purpose of lockout/tagout.
- The hazards associated with equipment during maintenance and the importance of lockout/tagout to prevent injuries.
- How to recognize when equipment is locked out or tagged out.
- What to do if they encounter locked or tagged equipment.
- How to communicate with authorized workers during LOTO procedures.
- **Regular Refresher Training**: As part of ongoing safety culture, periodic refresher training should be provided to ensure that employees remain aware of LOTO procedures and any updates to the safety protocols.

### **10. Conclusion**
Lockout/tagout procedures are a critical safety measure in workplaces where machinery and equipment are serviced or repaired. Affected employees must understand their role in these procedures to ensure that they do not inadvertently expose themselves to dangerous equipment or situations. Proper awareness and adherence to LOTO procedures can prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities, contributing to a safer work environment.