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621 Controlling Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)
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Training and Inspections

Employee Training and Communication

Employers are required to provide effective training for all employees covered by the lockout/tagout standard and ensure that all employees understand the basic program concepts, including the purpose, function, and restrictions of the energy control program, and how to control those hazards.

Training should include classroom instruction and hands-on practice.

Authorized employees must possess the knowledge and skills necessary for the safe application, use, and removal of energy controls. This training also must make employees aware that disregarding or violating the energy control program could endanger their own lives or the lives of co-workers.

Why Training is Important

It is important to train employees so they understand the purpose and function of the energy control program and get the knowledge and skills necessary to safely apply, use and remove the energy controls. The LOTO standard requires different levels of training for the three categories of workers: authorized, affected, and other employees.

Real Life Event

Expect the unexpected.

An employee at a wood chip company went through a wood chipper and survived. Something got stuck inside the machine and he went into the wood chipper to get the object. He thought everything was turned off. However, a fellow employee turned on the machine while he was inside.

The victim spent some time in the hospital with multiple injuries.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

2-1. Who must possess the knowledge and skills necessary for the safe application, use, and removal of energy controls during lockout/tagout of equipment or machinery?