Lockout/Tagout - Energy Control Program
Lockout and Tagging of ELECTRICAL Circuits
This portion of the K.R. Miller Contractors, Inc. safety program has been created
to maintain a written copy of procedures to be followed during work on (or in
close proximity to) exposed de-energized parts of conductors, and electrical
equipment that may expose any workers to an electrical hazard. The
requirements apply to all of K.R. Miller Contractors, Inc. construction job sites.
This written procedure includes procedural steps for each one of the following:
•
De-energizing equipment.
•
Application of locks and tags.
•
Verification of de-energized condition.
•
Re-energizing equipment, and electrical circuits.
While any worker is exposed to contact with parts of fixed electrical equipment,
or electrical circuits which have been de-energized, the circuits energizing the
parts will be locked out, and tagged according to the requirements of this written
plan. Only qualified workers will be allowed to work on electrical circuits of
any type.
Conductors, and parts of electrical equipment/circuits, that have been deenergized but have not been locked out, and tagged, according to these
procedures will be treated as energized parts. Additional PPE and worker
qualifications must be adhered to in order to work on an energized circuit. (PPE
items such as approved insulating gloves, leather outer gloves, flame retardant
clothing, face shields, and approved insulating boots, etc.)
The requirements must be followed in the order in which they are presented.
K.R. Miller Contractors, Inc. maintains this written copy of procedures, and
makes it available for inspection by workers and other interested parties.
LOCK OUT TAGOUT
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Rev. 04/13
De-energizing Equipment
Safe procedures for de-energizing circuits and equipment will be determined
before circuits or equipment are de-energized.
The electrical circuits and/or equipment to be worked on will be disconnected
from all electrical energy sources. Control circuit devices, such as push
buttons, selector switches, and interlocks, may not be used as the sole
means for de-energizing circuits or equipment. Interlocks for electric
equipment may not be used as a substitute for lockout and tagging
procedures.
Application of Locks and Tags
A lock and a tag will be placed on each disconnecting means (e.g a circuit
breaker) used to de-energize circuits and equipment on which work is to be
performed. The lock will be attached so it prevents all persons (except the
affected worker) from removing the lock from the disconnecting means. Each tag
will contain a statement prohibiting unauthorized operation of the disconnecting
means and removal of the tag. Only the affected worker(s) will have a key to
the lock.
If multiple workers will be working on a de-energized, and locked and
tagged circuit, each worker must apply their own lock (in addition to any
others) to the circuit disconnecting means.
The lock must be keyed independently of all other locks (no locks will be
permitted with the same key). The affected worker(s) will be the only one(s) with
a key to the lock in use.
•
If work will continue on the de-energized circuit beyond the initial affected
worker’s shift, the lock must be removed, and the next worker must place
his lock and tag on the disconnecting device. This worker must follow all
lock out / tagout procedures, including verification of a de-energized
circuit, before work can commence.
If a lock cannot be applied, and if an affected worker can demonstrate that a
tagging procedures will provide a level of safety equivalent to that obtained by
the use of a lock, a tag may be used without a lock. (This will require written
authorization- when only a tag is used and not a lock)
LOCK OUT TAGOUT
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Rev. 04/13
Note:
If a tag is used without a lock, the tag will be supplemented by at least one
additional safety measure that provides a level of safety equivalent to that
obtained by the use of a lock. Examples of additional safety measures include
the removal of an isolating circuit element, blocking of a controlling switch, or
opening of an extra disconnecting device.
•
A lock may be placed without a tag only under the following conditions:
Only one circuit or piece of equipment is de-energized, and
•
The lockout period does not extend beyond the work shift, and
•
Workers exposed to the hazards associated with re-energizing the circuit
or equipment are familiar with this procedure.
This procedure can only be applied when a physical lock CANNOT be used, and
is not a standard operating practice.
Verification of De-energized Condition
The following requirements must be met before any electrical circuits or
equipment can be worked upon as de-energized:
•
A qualified person will operate the equipment operating controls or
otherwise verify that the equipment cannot be restarted.
•
A qualified person will use test equipment to test the electrical circuit
elements and electrical parts of equipment to which workers will be
exposed and will verify that the circuit elements and equipment parts are
de-energized. The test will also determine if any energized condition exists
as a result of inadvertently induced voltage or unrelated voltage back-feed
even though specific parts of the circuit have been de-energized and
presumed to be safe. If the circuit to be tested is over 600 volts, nominal,
the test equipment will be checked for proper operation immediately
before and immediately after this test.
Re-Energizing Equipment and Electrical Circuits
The following requirements will be met, in the order given, before circuits or
equipment are re-energized, even temporarily:
LOCK OUT TAGOUT
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Rev. 04/13
•
A qualified person will conduct tests and visual inspections, as necessary,
to verify that all tools, electrical jumpers, shorts, grounds, and other such
devices have been removed, so that the circuits and equipment can be
safely energized.
•
Workers exposed to the hazards associated with re-energizing the circuit
or equipment will be warned to stay clear of electrical circuits and
equipment.
•
Each lock and tag will be removed by only the worker(s) who applied
the lock and tag.
LOCK OUT TAGOUT
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Rev. 04/13