Lockout/Tagout Program

Effective Date: June 2003

Revisions: 0
 Environmental/Occupational Health and Safety Office Lockout/Tagout Program

Table of Contents

1.0 SCOPE ......................................................................................................................... 1

2.0 PURPOSE ................................................................................................................... 1

3.0 APPLICABLE LAWS ............................................................................................ 1

4.0 RELEVANT STANDARDS ................................................................................. 1

5.0 ROLES OF THE WORKPLACE PARTIES................................................. 1

6.0 LIST OF TERMS..................................................................................................... 2

7.0 AUTHORIZATION ................................................................................................ 3

8.0 RULES ......................................................................................................................... 3

9.0 TRAINING ................................................................................................................. 4

10.0 THE SIX-STEP PROCEDURE .......................................................................... 5

11.0 RELEASE FROM LOCKOUT/TAGOUT ..................................................... 6

12.0 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES .......................................................................... 6

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1.0 Scope
This program specifically outlines the purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized
by Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) employees on a daily basis to guard against the unexpected
energizing, start-up, or release of stored energy which could cause injury. It shall be the duty of
each employee to become familiar with the contents of this program and ensure compliance with
its procedures. Managers shall ensure that employees under their supervision receive training in
the contents of this program and ensure records of this training are maintained.

2.0 Purpose

The purpose of this program is to establish procedures for affixing appropriate lockout/tagout
(LOTO) devices to energy-isolating devices and to otherwise disable machines or equipment to
prevent unexpected energization, start-up or release of stored energy in order to prevent injury to
employees.

3.0 Applicable Laws

• Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)

• R.R.O. 851/90 respecting Industrial Establishments: Sections 42, 68,74, 75 and 76

4.0 Relevant Standards

• Ontario Ministry of Labour (MOL) Engineering Data Sheet: 9-02: Lock-out Procedure for
Machinery (June 1980)
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard: Z244.1-Lockout/Tagout of
Energy Sources - Minimum Safety Requirements

5.0 Roles of the Workplace Parties

5.1 Management
It is the management’s responsibility to ensure that there is a general lockout/tagout policy in
effect. Ongoing training and promotion of the lockout/tagout policy can help to ensure that it
works.

5.2 Supervisors
It is essential that supervisors embrace the lockout/tagout philosophy and show, by example,
the importance of every element of the procedure. Constantly monitoring worker compliance
with lockout/tagout procedures and enforcing a no-exceptions procedure is a key part of the
supervisor’s job. Recommending training and re-training should also be part of the
supervisor’s responsibility.

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5.3 Workers
Workers have a duty to report unsafe conditions in the workplace to the employer. It is
important that they take this duty seriously. An unrecognized hazard is an uncontrolled
hazard. If the employer is aware of such hazards action must be taken to control them.

5.4 Affected Employee

An employee whose job requires to operate or use a machine or piece of equipment on which
servicing is being performed under lockout/tagout, or whose job requires to work in an area
in which such servicing or maintenance is being performed.

5.5 Authorized Employee

A person who implements lockout/tagout procedures on machines or equipment to perform
the servicing or maintenance on that machine or equipment. An authorized employee and an
affected employee may be the same person when the affected employee’s duties also include
performing maintenance or service on a machine or piece of equipment on which
lockout/tagout systems are implemented.

6.0 List of Terms

6.1 Energy Source

Any source of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic (fluids), pneumatic (air, gas), chemical
(acids, bases), thermal (hot, cold), gravitational, stored (spring) or other energy.

6.2 Lockout
The act of making equipment or a hazardous energy source inoperable by preventing them
from being operated by means of a padlock or multiple hasp hardware.

6.3 Lockout Device

A device that utilizes a positive means, such as a lock, to hold an energy-isolating device in
the safe position and prevent the energizing of a machine or piece of equipment.

6.4 Normal Production Operations

The utilization of a machine or piece of equipment to perform its intended production
function.

6.5 Primary Authorized Employee

The authorized employee who has been vested with responsibility for a group of employees
performing service or maintenance on machines or equipment subject to lockout/tagout
procedures.

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6.6 Servicing and/or Maintenance
Workplace activities such as constructing, installing, setting up, adjusting, inspecting,
modifying, maintaining and/or servicing machines or equipment. These activities include
lubrication, cleaning or unjamming of machines or equipment, and making adjustments or
tool changes where the employee may be exposed to the unexpected energization or start-up
of the equipment or release of hazardous energy.

6.7 Tagout
The placement of a tagout device on an energy-isolating device, in accordance with an
established procedure, to indicate that the energy-isolating device and the equipment being
controlled may not be operated until the tagout device is removed.

6.8 Tagout Device (TAG)

A tagout device (tag) is a tool used to communicate vital information regarding the energy-
isolating procedure being used. This tag is required to conform with certain standards. It
must display specified information and meet other prescribed conditions.

The tag shall:

• Be made of non-conducting material
• Be secured to prevent its inadvertent removal
• Be placed in a conspicuous location
• State the reason for the lockout
• Show the name of the worker who locked out and
• Show the date

7.0 Authorization
A designated Wilfrid Laurier University representative may authorize the use of this program by
any and all facilities, departments and individuals associated with the control of hazardous
energy on any Wilfrid Laurier University entity.

Managers will implement the program and ensure that the personnel under their supervision are
trained in accordance with the procedures established herein. This responsibility may be
delegated to another person or persons within the department providing the designated person is
qualified and competent. This person will authorize employees to implement the lockout/tagout
system procedure.

An employee who has been authorized by the manager or that manager’s designated individual
shall implement lockout/tagout system procedure on machines or equipment to perform servicing
or maintenance; or on a machine which the unexpected energization or start-up of the machine or
equipment, or release of stored energy could cause injury.

8.0 Rules

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If the energy-isolating device is capable if being locked out, the authorized employee shall
utilize lockout/tagout, unless the manager or their designated representative have determined that
the situation meets the conditions of Ontario Regulation 851.42(3)(a)(b) which stipulates when
lockout /tagout is not required.

Lockout devices used for the implementation of this program shall be accompanied by a standard
tagout device (tag). These devices shall be used for no other purpose than lockout/tagout and
shall be substantial enough to prevent removal without the use of excessive force or unusual
techniques. Tagout devices, including their means of attachment, shall be substantial enough to
prevent inadvertent or accidental removal.

The manager of environment/occupational health and safety or a designated representative shall

conduct periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually.

9.0 Training
The managers or their designated representatives are required to provide training to ensure that
the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees. Through
training, employees will be required to possess the knowledge and skills required for safe
application, usage, and removal of energy controls. Training shall include the following:

1. Each authorized employee shall receive training in the recognition of applicable

hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the
workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control

2. Each affected employee shall be instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control
procedure

3. All other employees whose work operations are or may be in an area where energy
control procedures may be utilized, shall be instructed about the procedure, and about the
prohibition relating to attempts to restart or re-energize machines or equipment which are
locked out or tagged out

When tagout systems are used, employees shall also be trained in the following limitations of
tags:
1. Tags are warning devices affixed to energy-isolating devices, and do not provide the
physical restraint on those devices that is provided by lockout

2. When a tag is attached to an energy-isolating means, it is not to be removed without

authorization of the person responsible for it, and is never to be bypassed, ignored or
otherwise defeated

3. Tags must be legible and understandable by affected employees, and all other employees
whose work operations are or may be in the area, in order to be effective

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4. Tags and their means of attachment must be made of materials which will withstand the
environmental conditions encountered in the workplace

5. Tags may evoke a false sense of security, and their meaning needs to be understood as
part of the overall energy control program

6. Tags must be securely attached to energy-isolating devices so that they cannot be

inadvertently or accidentally detached during use

Retraining shall be provided for all authorized and affected employees every two years or when
there is a change in energy control procedures.

Retraining shall establish employee proficiency and introduce new or revised control methods
and procedures as necessary. The managers or their designated representatives shall certify that
employee training has been accomplished and is being kept up-to-date. The certification shall
contain each employee’s name and dates of training.

10.0 The Six-Step Procedure

Implementation of the lockout/tagout system shall be performed only by authorized
employees. Affected employees shall be notified by managers or their designated representatives
of the application and removal of lockout/tagout devices. Notification shall be given before the
controls are applied, and after they are removed from the machine or equipment. The established
procedure for the application of energy control shall cover the following elements and the
actions and shall be done in the following sequence:

1. Preparation for shutdown: Before an authorized employee turns off a machine or piece
of equipment, the employee shall have knowledge of the type and magnitude of the
energy, the hazards of the energy to be controlled

2. Machine or equipment shutdown: An orderly shutdown must be utilized to avoid any

additional or increased hazard(s) to employees as a result of the equipment de-
energization

3. Machine or equipment isolation: All energy-isolating devices that are needed to control
the energy to the machine or equipment shall be operated in such a manner as to isolate
the machine or equipment from the energy source(s) safely

4. Lockout/tagout device application: Individual lockout/tagout devices shall be affixed to

each energy-isolating device by authorized employees.
• Lockout devices, where used, shall be affixed in a manner that will hold the
energy in a “safe” or “off” position

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• Where tagout devices are used as part of the lockout/tagout procedure, the tag
shall be fastened at the same point as the lockout device.
• Where a tag cannot be affixed directly to the energy-isolating device, the tag shall
be located as close as safely possible to the device, in a position that will be
immediately obvious to anyone attempting to operate the device

5. Control of stored energy: Following the application of lockout/tagout devices to energy-

isolating devices, all potentially hazardous stored energy shall be rendered safe. If there
is a possibility of re-accumulation of stored energy to a hazardous level, verification of
isolation shall be continued until the servicing or maintenance is completed, or until the
possibility of such accumulation no longer exists

6. Verification of isolation: Prior to starting work on machines or equipment that have been
locked/tagged the authorized employee shall verify that isolation and de-energization of
the machine or equipment has been accomplished.

11.0 Release from Lockout/Tagout

1. Check machine to ensure that it is operationally intact, tools have been removed and
guards replaced

2. Check that employees are safely positioned and notify all affected personnel that
locks/tags are going to be removed and that the machine is ready for operation

3. Remove all locks, blocks or other energy restraints

4. Ensure that start-up switches are in the off or neutral position

5. Restore energy to the machine

Exception: When the authorized employee who applied the lockout/tagout device is not
available to remove it, that device may be removed by the authorized employee’s
immediate supervisor

12.0 Special Circumstances

1. Testing or positioning of machines, equipment, or components thereof: In situations

where the lockout/tagout devices must be temporarily removed from the energy-isolating

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device and the machine or equipment energized to test or position the equipment or
component thereof, the following sequence of actions shall be followed:
• Clear the machine or equipment of tools or materials.
• Remove the lockout/tagout devices.
• Energize and proceed with testing or positioning.
• De-energize all systems and reapply energy control measures to continue the servicing
and/or maintenance.

2. Non-WLU personnel (contractors, etc.): Whenever outside servicing personnel are to be

engaged in activities covered by the scope and application of this program, the designated
Wilfrid Laurier University representative and the outside contractor shall inform each
other of their respective lockout/tagout procedures. The contractor shall ensure that their
personnel understand and comply with the procedures in this program

3. Group lockout/tagout: When servicing and/or maintenance is performed by a crew or

department, they shall utilize a procedure which affords the employees a level of
protection equivalent to that provided by the implementation of a personal lockout/tagout
device. This shall be accomplished by:
• The application of a multi-lock accepting device (hasp) by the primary authorized
employee to the energy-isolating device
• The primary authorized employee attaching his/her lockout/tagout device to the
multi-lock accepting device
• Each authorized employee shall affix a personal lockout/tagout device to the
multi-lock accepting device when they begin work, and shall remove those
devices when they stop working on the machine or equipment being serviced or
maintained
• The primary authorized employee removing his/her lockout/tagout device when
all service or maintenance has been completed and only after all other
lockout/tagout devices have been removed by the employees that initially
attached them

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