Industrial machine maintenance is essential for keeping operations running smoothly, but it also presents serious safety risks. The energy powering heavy equipment can cause severe injury or even death if appropriate precautions are not taken. Today, we’re focusing on Lockout/Tagout, often abbreviated as LOTO. OSHA formally refers to this process as the Control of Hazardous Energy. These are the procedures and practices designed to ensure that machinery is properly shut off and isolated from its energy sources before any maintenance or servicing begins Hazardous energy includes any form of energy that can be dangerous to workers if not controlled. OSHA defines these sources as: Electrical, Mechanical, Hydraulic, Pneumatic, Chemical, Thermal or any other source that could cause injury to employees. Implementing effective LOTO protocols prevents the unexpected release of this energy during service, thereby protecting maintenance personnel from injury. Imagine a technician working to clear a jammed conveyor line. If the system is unexpectedly powered back on, the consequences can be catastrophic. According to OSHA, compliance with the Lockout/Tagout standard prevents an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries each year in the United States. To ensure proper implementation, the National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP) recommends following these eight steps for Lockout/Tagout procedures : 1. Notify all affected employees about the maintenance activity. 2 . Identify all energy sources and potential hazards. 3. Prepare for shutdown, then shut down the machine. 4. Isolate the equipment by turning off all energy sources. 5. Apply lockout/tagout devices to each energy-isolating mechanism. 6 . Release stored energy, such as capacitors, pressure, or tension. 7. Verify isolation by attempting to start the machine. 8. Ensure controls are off and locks are in place before beginning work. Only once all these steps are completed can work begin. Once the maintenance is complete and the area is safe, the locks and tags can be removed, and the machine returned to service. So, if you’re looking to expand your LOTO-compatible equipment, AutomationDirect offers a variety of lockable control switches and pushbuttons. Or if you need a more robust safety solution, AutomationDirect has the affordable safety products and expertise you need. Click here to shop online at AutomationDirect.com, now! Click here for more videos.