Keeping the work facility safe: A guide for employers
General industry workers who service and maintain the machineries are exposed to unexpected energization, startup and release of hazardous energy. The work practices can prove to be fatal if proper safety measures aren’t followed. This is where OSHA heavily focuses. OSHA’s standard 1910.147 is all about the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) and requires energy control procedures for all the machines that are prone to dysfunction and could be a source of mechanical/chemical/thermal/hydraulic energy outburst.
Who has the ultimate responsibility to implement lockout safety procedure within a facility? This is perhaps the most-asked question. OSHA requires the employers to take proper steps against unexpected machinery startup and energy outbursts. But simply buying the Lockout Tagout Products is not enough. Most of the firms fall short on enabling effective procedures and fast action by employees. They do not have a set of machine-specific instructions and these instructions are generally not handy to the employees.
Follow the below mentioned steps and ensure a consistent and effective lockout safety program:
– Communication is the key: Communicate to your employees the benefits of an effective lockout program. It is your duty to instill in your employees the value of a safe working environment. Also, produce an easy-to-use set of guidelines that your employees understand.
– Make a complete list of machinery that might require lockout safety procedures. It is also important to keep your equipments in a healthy state with timely maintenance and repairs.
– Identify the energy points and label the isolation devices (valves and breaker panels).
– List and document the hardware that might be needed for to lock out and isolate machinery and equipment. Devices such as padlocks and tags.
– There’s no generic safety procedure. Make sure you document machine-specific procedures and specific steps to isolate, secure and shut it down.
– Implement comprehensive training sessions and make sure the employees have a clear understanding of safety procedures and the magnitude of hazardous energy sources within the facility.
– Sort out your workers according to their lockout responsibilities. Anyone unaware of the health hazards and safety procedure shouldn’t be allowed near the machineries but still must receive basic instructions regarding energy control. As an employer, it is your responsibility to protect all the workers.
And lastly, keep reviewing and updating your safety program. Just like machinery, a lockout safety program requires periodic reviews.
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- Valve Lockout
- MCB Lockout
- Lockout Padlocks
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