scope:

This standard establishes requirements for the control of hazardous energy associated with machines, equipment or processes that could cause injury to personnel.

Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to establish requirements and performance objectives for procedures, techniques, designs and methods that protect personnel where injury can occur as a result of the unexpected release of hazardous energy. Unexpected release of hazardous energy can include any unintended motion, energization, start up or release of stored energy, deliberate or otherwise, from the perspective of the person(s) at risk.

Lockout/tagout is the primary method of hazardous energy control. When the tasks specified in 1.3 are routine, repetitive and integral to the production process, or traditional lockout/tagout prohibits the completion of those tasks, alternative methods of control that are based on risk assessment (5.4.1) and that provide effective personal protection shall be used.

NOTE: Tasks that are routine, repetitive and integral to production generally exhibit most of the following characteristics:

• Short in duration

• Relatively minor in nature

• Occur frequently during the shift, day or week

• Usually performed by operators, set-up, service or maintenance personnel

• Do not involve extensive disassembly

• Represent predetermined cyclical activities

• Expected to occur regularly

• Minimally interrupt the production process

• Exist even when optimal operating levels are achieved

• Require task specific personnel training

The reason for intervention (i.e. perform the task) is to sustain the machine, equipment or process continuity within the nominal performance range and output quality. This usually occurs when the machine, equipment or process is operating normally and the need for periodic service or adjustment is predictable based on operating experience and product demands.

Each user should inventory and examine all tasks deemed to be "routine, repetitive and integral to production" and determine if they possess the above characteristics before proceeding in the development of alternative methods based on risk assessment. If the tasks do not substantially conform, then lockout /tagout should be used.

This document is a performance standard and, as such, is not intended to limit or restrict the use of other existing specific standards and procedures that meet the performance objectives defined in this standard and provide an equivalent level of personal protection from exposure to hazardous energy.