511 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 9-15

Sections

12-8. General Requirements.

Energy Isolating Procedures

The Hazard Isolation Plan (HIP) must be visible or accessible to Authorized Individuals at the point of use.
Locks or control measures must be employed when energy isolation is accessible to the public.
Before any work begins, a Site-Specific Energy Control Plan (SSECP), HIPs, and Activity Hazard Analyses (AHAs) must be developed, approved, and reviewed by Authorized Individuals.

Lockout and Tagout Devices

Energy isolating devices capable of lockout must be locked out, and the HIP must detail tagout procedures for full personnel protection if lockout isn't possible.
Only Authorized Individuals may perform Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and all Affected Persons must be notified before and after LOTO procedures.
Locks and tags must be durable, uniquely identifiable, and used solely for LOTO activities, with the identity of the Authorized Individual displayed.

Application and Removal of Lockout and Tagout Devices

The Authorized Individual must ensure proper system shutdown and securement as per the HIP and verify isolation before starting work.
Before removing LOTO devices and restoring energy, the Authorized Individual must inspect the work area, remove nonessential items, and ensure personnel safety.
Only the Authorized Individual who applied the LOTO devices, or another appointed individual under strict procedures, is permitted to remove the devices.

Full Personnel Protection

When tagout is used instead of lockout, it must provide equivalent safety, including proper device attachment and adherence to tagout requirements.
Additional safety measures must be taken to ensure a level of protection similar to lockout devices, such as removing or blocking certain components to prevent inadvertent energization.

12-9. Figures and Tables.

See Figures/Tables Checklists/Forms

12-10. Checklists and Forms.

Not Applicable.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

12-7. If lockout isn't possible, the Hazard Isolation Plan (HIP) must _____.

warn affected employees to use tags

detail tagout procedures for full personnel protection

prohibit lockout/tagout procedures

recommend using "Do Not Use" signs

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 12-8.

12-8. General Requirements.

a.  Energy Isolating Procedures.  (12-8.a)

(1)  The HIP for the machine, equipment, or process must be posted at or near the point of use, or otherwise be readily available for Authorized Individuals to review and use.

(2)  Locks or other positive means of control must always be used when the energy isolation involves equipment that is accessible by the public.

(3)  Before work (that is, servicing, maintenance, testing, installation, removal) is performed on or near any system that produces, uses, or stores hazardous energy in which the unexpected energization, startup, or release of stored energy could occur, an SSECP to include associated HIPs and AHAs must be developed and accepted by the KO or COR.  The SSECP and associated HIPs and AHAs must be reviewed by all Authorized Individuals to ensure all energy sources are controlled and they understand the procedures to be followed.  (See paras 12-4, 12-6, and 12-7)

b.  Lockout and Tagout Devices.  (12-8.b)

(1)  Systems with energy isolating devices that are capable of being locked out must be locked out.  If an energy isolating device is not capable of being locked out, the HIP must identify tagout procedures providing full personnel protection.

(a)  Comply with all tagout requirements of this manual and of the HIP.

(b)  Attach the tag to the same location, if possible, that the lock would have been attached.  If this is not possible, then attach the tag as close as safely possible to the device and in a position that is immediately obvious to anyone attempting to operate the device.

(c)  Employ additional means to provide a level of protection commensurate with that provided by a lock.  For example, placement of the tag in a manner that inhibits operation of the energy isolating device, removal of an isolating circuit mechanism, blocking of a control switch, opening of an extra disconnecting device, removal of a valve handle to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent energizing.

(d)  When only tags are used (the use of locks is not possible), instruct individuals in the following requirements and limitations of tags:

(d-1)  Tags must be legible and understood by all Authorized, Affected, and Incidental Individuals.

(d-2)  Tags and their means of attachment must be made of materials that will withstand the environments encountered in the workplace.

(d-3)  Securely attach tags to energy isolating devices so that they cannot become inadvertently or accidentally detached during use.

(d-4)  Do not remove tags without authorization of the Authorized Individual and never bypass, ignore, or otherwise defeat them.

(d-5)  Tags are essentially warning devices affected to energy isolating devices and do not provide the physical protection of a lock.  Tags may evoke a false sense of security.

(2)  Only Authorized Individuals may perform LOTO.

(3)  Notify all Affected Persons of LOTO before and upon completion of the application and removal of locks or tags.

(4)  Locks and tags used for LOTO must:

(a)  Be capable of withstanding the environment that they are exposed to for the maximum period of time the exposure is expected.

(b)  Indicate the identity of the Authorized Individual applying the device.

(d)  Not be used for anything other than LOTO activities.

(e)  Identify the person who applied the lock or tag.  Locks may have a tag attached with the individual’s name and/or photograph which will satisfy this requirement.

(f)  Locks must be substantial enough to prevent removal without the use of excessive force or unusual techniques (for example, the use of bolt cutters).

(g)  Tags must, in addition, meet all of the following requirements:

(g-1)  Have a standardized (within a project) print and format.

(g-2)  Be constructed and printed so that exposure to weather conditions, UV light, wet or damp locations, or corrosive environments will not cause the tag to deteriorate or the message to become illegible.

(g-3)  Be attached by means that are: non-reusable, substantial enough to prevent inadvertent or accidental removal; attachable by hand; self-locking; non-releasable with a minimum unlocking strength of no less than 50 lbs. (22.7 kg); and have the basic characteristics of being at least equivalent to a one-piece, all environment-tolerant nylon cable tie.

(g-4)  Warn against the hazardous condition resulting from system energization and include wording such as "DANGER - DO NOT START, OPEN, CLOSE, ENERGIZE, OPERATE”.

(5)  To eliminate confusion or to clearly differentiate and standardize contractor- controlled lockouts, USACE may require locks and tags that are coordinated with the site lock and tag system.  Communication is a key element of a HEC Program and a clear lock and tag identity with assigned responsibility is important.

(6)  Application and Removal of Lockout and Tagout Devices.

(a)  Authorized Individual must ensure that all energy isolating devices needed to control energy to or within the system are identified and that the system is shut down, isolated, blocked and secured according to the HIP.

(b)  Any system operated by a remotely controlled source must be completely isolated such that it cannot be operated by that or any other source.

(c)  The Authorized Individual must affix a lockout and/or tagout device to each energy isolating device according to the HIP.

(d)  Where there is a possibility of re-accumulation of stored energy to a hazardous level, continue to verify isolation until the energy control procedure is complete.

(e)  Before starting work on systems that have been locked/tagged out, the Authorized Individual must verify that isolation and de-energization of the system have successfully been accomplished.

(7)  TPGs, if applicable.  Following the application of locks and/or tags to energy isolating devices, relieve or make safe all potentially hazardous or stored residual energy.

(a)  Identify and account for protective grounds in the manner as identified in the contractor’s SSECP and HIP.

(b)  The Authorized Individual (or their designee) is responsible for ensuring the control of residual energy and for placing and removing TPGs according to the contractor’s ESP (see chapter 11).

(8)  Before LOTO devices are removed and energy restored to the system, the Authorized Individual must ensure that the following actions have been taken:

(a)  The work area has been inspected and all nonessential items (for example, tools and materials) have been removed from the system, the system components are operationally intact, and all personnel have been safely positioned or removed from the area.

(b)  All Affected and Incidental Individuals have been notified that the LOTO
        devices are about to be removed.

(9)  Only the Authorized Individual who applied the LOTO device is permitted to remove such devices from the associated energy isolating devices.  When the individual is not available, the device(s) may be removed by another Authorized Individual appointed by and under the direction of the contractor PM or contractor designated authority provided the following are complied with:

(a)  The contractor ensures that the individual appointed to remove the LOTO devices is knowledgeable in the HIP applied.

(b)  Such individual and the requirements for transferring removal authority to from the new Authorized Individual are identified in the SSECP.  (See para 12-7.a)

(d)  The contractor designated authority makes all reasonable efforts to contact the Authorized Individual to inform them that the LOTO devices are to be removed.  If a group clearance is involved, then an attempt must be made to have all Affected Persons sign off on the clearance or they must be contacted by phone.  If contact cannot be made, then the lift may only made if after all necessary precautions are taken.

(e)  The Authorized Individual is immediately notified of the removal upon returning and prior to resuming any work.

(10) Full Personnel Protection.  When tagout is used in place of lockout, full personnel protection is provided when:

(a)  The tagout device is attached at the same location as the lockout device would have been attached.

(b)  All tagout-related requirements of this manual have been complied with.

(c)  Additional means have been taken to provide a level of safety commensurate with that of a lockout device.  Such additional means include the removal of an isolation circuit element, blocking of a control switch, opening, and tagging an extra disconnecting device (separated by distance), or the removal of a valve handle to reduce the likelihood of being energized.