Machine Safety Services Canada

Lock Out Tag Out

Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) is a safety procedure which is used in industry and research settings to ensure that dangerous machines are properly shut off and not started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or servicing work.

Lockout is defined in the Canadian standard CSA Z460-13 "Control of Hazardous Energy - Lockout and Other Methods" as the "placement of a lockout device on an energy-isolating device in accordance with an established procedure." A lockout device is "a mechanical means of locking that uses an individually keyed lock to secure an energy-isolating device in a position that prevents energization of a machine, equipment, or a process."

Also, The OSHA standard for The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lock out/Tag out), Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.147, addresses the practices and procedures necessary to disable machinery or equipment, thereby preventing the release of hazardous energy while employees perform servicing maintenance activities. The standard outlines measures for controlling hazardous energies—electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, and other energy sources.

Benefits :

  • Employees servicing or maintaining machines or equipment may be exposed to serious physical harm or death if hazardous energy is not properly controlled. Compliance with the lockout/ tag out standard prevents an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries each year. Workers injured on the job from exposure to hazardous energy lose an average of 24 workdays for recuperation.
  • Renewed motivation for employees when they realize that the employer is taking active steps to ensuring their safety.
  • Fewer workplace insurance claims
  • Minimize downtime.

How ZCS can help you?

  • Learn and understand the sources of energy on your equipment and create a customized Lock out Tag out Procedure.
  • Place a lock and tag on each control used to isolate energy from the machine or system.
  • Train employees to follow the applicable provisions of the hazardous energy control procedures.