SECTION 25. LOCKOUT - TAGOUT/ENERGY CONTROL

DEFINITIONS

Energy-Isolating Device: a mechanical device that physically inhibits transmission or release of energy, including but not limited to the following: manually operated circuit breakers; disconnect switches; manually operated switches by which the conductors of a circuit can be disconnected from all ungrounded supply conductors; poles can not be operated independently; blocks; stay bars or tie rods; chains; and, any single device used to block or isolate energy. The term does not include push buttons, selector switches, and other control circuit-type devices.

Energy Source: any electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other energy source that causes injury to personnel.

Locked Out: the condition which is achieved by the placement of a lockout device on an energy-isolating device; placement of a padlock on the enclosure of an energy-isolating device or by activating the keyed lock of an enclosure; any means necessary, in accordance with an established procedure, insuring the energy being controlled cannot be accidentally or inadvertently released.

Lockout Device: a device that utilizes a positive means, such as padlock or stationary- (built-in) type lock, to hold or secure an energy-isolating device in the safe position and prevent the energizing of a machine or equipment, or associated component.

Servicing and/or Maintenance: work activities such as, but not limited to, adjusting, cleaning, constructing, erecting, inspecting, installing, lubricating, maintaining, modifying, servicing, repairing, and unjamming.

Tagged Out: the condition which is achieved by securely fastening a tagout device to a lockout device or energy-isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, indicating the energy-isolating device and machine or equipment being controlled may not be operated until the authorized person removes the lockout and/or tagout devices.

Tagout Device: a warning tag and means of attachment which can be securely fastened to a lockout device or energy-isolating device in accordance with an established procedure warning of a locked out/tagged out condition.

25.1 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

This section establishes the minimum requirements for the isolation and/or restraint (control) of potentially hazardous energy sources during work activities involving machines, equipment, and/or systems. The requirements are to insure such items are free from their energy sources and locked out and/or tagged out, or otherwise controlled, before and during servicing and/or maintenance activities where the unexpected energization, startup, or release of stored energy could cause injury and/or property damage.

The objective of these requirements is to prevent a death or injury and/or property damage as a result of the accidental or inadvertent release of energy during the work activity.

25.2 APPLICABILITY OF REQUIREMENTS

The requirements are applicable, but not limited to, servicing and/or maintenance of telescopes and associated operational equipment and systems, domes, shutters, grinding machines, cranes/hoists, HVAC equipment, and boilers.

The requirements apply to shop operations including, but not limited to:

- metal, wood and glass working machines;
- equipment under the following circumstances: servicing and/or maintenance during normal operations requiring a person to remove or bypass a guard or other safety device;
- placing any part of the body into an area on the machine or equipment where the work is actually performed upon the material (point of operation);
- associated danger zones of the operating cycle.

Requirements do not apply to the following:

- minor production machine tool changes and adjustments, and other minor servicing activities, which take place during normal operations provided they are routine, repetitive, and integral to the use of the production machine or equipment, and alternative and effective protective measures are employed during such activities;
- work on electric cord- and plug-connected machines or equipment where electrical energy is the only source that must be controlled, unplugging the equipment provides the control, and the plug is under the exclusive control of the person performing the work.

25.3 RESPONSIBILITIES

The Site Safety Officer is responsible for the specific lockout-tagout (energy control) procedures. This responsibility will include, but not be limited to, the following:

- as an integral part of preplanning the work activity, ensure all potentially hazardous energy sources and their energy-isolating devices are identified;
- ensure the personnel involved in the utilization of the procedure are authorized and trained prior to its use, understands the purpose and function of the procedure, is knowledgeable of the type and magnitude of the energy source being controlled, and is skilled in the safe methods of application, usage, and removal of the energy controls;
- ensure all other personnel--those affected by the utilization of the procedure (operators and users) and others who may be in the area, are instructed about the procedure including the prohibition of removing the energy controls;
- when the work activity involves more than one energy source, insure the procedure for each is combined into one procedure and coordinated with all the persons involved;
- ensure authorized and affected personnel are retrained whenever there is a change in job assignment in machine equipment or system that presents new hazards, procedures, or wherever there are reasons to believe there are deviations from or inadequacies in the employee’s knowledge or use of the procedure;
- ensure all affected personnel are notified before the energy controls are applied and after they are removed;
- whenever outside personnel (contractors or subcontractors) are engaged in activities covered by this section, assure their energy control procedure is as effective as APO’s procedure and all requirements relating to the coordination and implementation are met;
- ensure all existing machine, equipment and/or systems have the appropriate energy-isolation devices and such devices are equipped or designed to incorporate or accept an effective lockout device;
- ensure required lockout and tagout devices, and any other required energy control devices, are available;
- maintain a record of assignments of padlocks to authorized personnel. This will include the person’s name, the color, the serial number of the padlock, and the date it was assigned.

Training will be conducted in energy control procedures to ensure there are no deviations or inadequacies.

All Employees will follow the energy control procedures established for the work. Any questions concerning the requirements herein or the established procedures before or during the work will be brought to the attention of the Site Safety Officer.

GENERAL RULES

Lockout devices: as necessary, authorized persons will use a keyed-different padlock.

A tagout device will be signed when attached by the authorized personnel.

All machines or equipment will be locked out or otherwise controlled to protect against accidental or inadvertent operation when such operation could cause injury to personnel and/or property damage.

Do not attempt to operate any switch, valve, or other energy-isolation device that is locked/tagged out.

25.4 SAMPLE LOCKOUT/TAGOUT PROCEDURE

The following is a lockout-tagout procedure. It is provided as a guide and should be used in conjunction with the requirements of this section. Where complexity requires, a more comprehensive procedure may be developed, documented, and implemented.

PURPOSE

This procedure establishes the requirements for the lockout-tagout of energy sources that could cause injury to personnel and/or property damage. All employees involved will comply with this procedure.

RESPONSIBILITY

The responsibility for seeing this procedure is followed is binding upon all employees.

PREPARATION FOR LOCKOUT-TAGOUT

Employees authorized to perform lockout-tagout procedures will be certain as to which energy-isolating devices apply. (More than one energy source may be involved.) Any questionable identification of sources will be brought to the attention of the Site Safety Officer.

SEQUENCE OF LOCKOUT-TAGOUT PROCEDURE

1. Notification - all affected employees, and others who are going to be in the area, will be notified of the requirement for lockout-tagout and the reason therefore.

2. Shutdown - if the machine or equipment is operating, shut it down by the normal stopping procedure (depress stop button, operate selector switch, etc.).

3. Isolation - operate or install (as applicable) the energy-isolating device(s) (switch, valve, etc.) so energy sources (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, etc.) are disconnected or isolated from the machine or equipment. Stored or residual energy, such as that in capacitors, springs, elevated machine members, rotating members/flywheels, hydraulic systems, air, gas, steam, or water pressure, etc., must be dissipated or restrained by methods such as grounding, repositioning, blocking, bleeding-down, etc.

4. Lockout-tagout - install the lockout and tagout device(s). Lockout is required when the disconnect is greater than 20 feet from the work area or the device is separated from visual contact.

5. Verification of Isolation - after ensuring personnel are in the clear, verify the energy source(s) has been isolated by operating the push button, selector switch, etc. to insure the machine or equipment will not operate. [CAUTION: return operation controls to the “neutral” or “off” position after the test.] In addition, verify by whatever method or test necessary, all stored or residual energy has been dissipated or bled-down. When such energy can re-accumulate, it must be monitored to assure it remains below hazardous levels.

RESTORING (MACHINE OR EQUIPMENT) TO SERVICE

After the work is completed and (machine or equipment) is ready for testing or normal operation, check the surrounding area to ensure all personnel are in the clear, tools, materials or other nonessentials have been removed, the machine or equipment/system components are operationally intact, and all guards have been reinstalled.

Following the above checks, remove the lockout and tagout devices. The energy-isolating devices may be operated and the machine or equipment returned to normal operation.

Table III - Job or Functions Requiring the Use of Lock out –Tagout

Job/Function (listed on left)...............Energy Sources (listed on right)

2.5m Wind Baffle .................................Electrical Disconnect Sw

Motor / Water Pump repair
Electrical Disconnect Sw.................... Electrical- various C/B’s

Electrical wiring repair
Electrical Disconnect Sw......................Electrical - various C/B’s

HVAC repair
Electrical Disconnect Sw....................... Electrical - various C/B’s

Air filter replacements PF1 and 2
Electrical Disconnect Sw......................Electrical - various C/B’s

Air line servicing..............................Compressed gas – valves

LN2 distribution line servicing.............Compressed gas – valves

Telescope balance control 2.5- 3.5m
Electrical - various C/B’s..........................Potential – mechanical locks

Louver servicing................................ Electrical - various C/B’s

Hydraulic lifts – cartridge- dock- cart
Compressed liquids- valves
Potential – mechanical lock....................Electrical - various C/B’s

Truck Lift Gate repair
Compressed liquids- valves
Potential – mechanical lock................... Electrical – fuse

Hot water loop
Electrical control- C/B – sw....................Thermal- valves

Appliance repair
Electrical – power cords.........................Electrical- various C/B’s

Drive surface cleaning
Electrical – disconnects.........................Electrical – stop buttons

Machine tool repair/service.................Electrical – disconnects