Best Lockout/Tagout Station For Work

The term “Lockout Tagout” refers specifically to procedures used to ensure that equipment is shut down and inoperable until maintenance or repair work is completed.  Lockout, Tagout is a safety procedure used in industry and research settings to ensure that dangerous machines are properly shut off and not able to be started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or repair work. If lockout tag-out practices are not observed workers can be seriously injured or killed by the machinery or equipment they are working on or within. The OSHA standard for the control of hazardous energy (lockout/Tagout) (29 CFR 1910.147) for general industry, outlines specific actions and procedures for addressing and controlling hazardous energy during servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment. Energy sources that should be locked out during maintenance could be Mechanical, Hydraulic, Electrical, Pneumatic, Thermal, Radiation, Chemical.

What are lockout/Tagout stations?

Lockout/Tagout station is a crucial safety requirement. Preventing the accidental start-up of energy during repair or maintenance ensures the safety of workers and helps to create a productive workplace. The OSHA Lockout/Tagout standard (1910.147) provides clear lockout safety requirements. Despite this, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) continues to be found in OSHA’s top 10 most frequently cited standards. Industrial machines, circuit breakers, plugs, switches, pushbuttons, and valves are just some of the items that often require lockout devices. 

Lockout Stations are one powerful approach to store and arrange essential gadgets. This has a few advantages: Not just do stations store vital gadgets, yet in addition, they save important space and advance productive tasks. In the event that gadgets are organized in a station, workers know precisely where to discover the gadgets that they need during support or fix. The convenience and visibility of stations also encourage use. If a workplace is large, several stations may be necessary. Also, Lockout kits usually in pouch or toolbox formats store a variety of devices, locks, and tags. They are the perfect choice if workers have to work on multiple job sites or lockout several machines. Lockout kits also help workers have the proper lockout devices at their disposal, whenever they need them.

Electrical lockout devices

It helps you properly shut down electrical systems to prevent electrical accidents for industrial high voltage or low voltage applications. Electrical devices must be UL-approved or similar approval. If working near water, use designated GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets. 

Electrical interlocks that do not isolate the main power, but only the control current are officially not Lockout-Tagout interlocks. This because the locking of control currents falls under the rules of the machinery directive. This especially applies to pushbutton and emergency stop locks. Electrical interlocks are for the most part made of non-conductive materials and should be secured with a non-conductive safety padlock, preferably a lock with a non-conductive plastic shackle.

Types of electrical lockout devices:

Electrical plug lockout device-

This lockout gadget highlights extreme, lightweight, dielectric thermoplastic bodies that totally encase the electrical fitting accordingly ensuring against coincidental reconnection.

Electrical panel lockout device-

This lockout gadget is utilized to lockout electrical board fastens and switches where there is no inbuilt lockout arrangement. They comprise of removable press catch and turning switch covers, which is gotten with a latch or hasp and this cover precludes admittance to a switch or control on the electrical board. They utilize straightforward bases and cover that permit visibility of nameplates and marks.

MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker)/Circuit Breaker Lockout Device-

This lockout gadget, utilizing a slider system to empower the lockout gadget to fit onto the MCB, forestalls the electrical switch flip from being turned on. It is then fitted with a suitable lock to forestall unapproved evacuation.

Pendant lockout device-

This lockout gadget is utilized to bolt out odd size and enormous electrical connectors and crane controls. They comprise of adaptable and tough tear stop nylon sack, which is gotten with numerous locks or hasps and they are utilized to cover over plug attachments and control boards like those utilized on cranes.

Mechanical lockout

Mechanical lockout allows you to secure a valve in the off position whilst work is being completed. These devices are normally secured in place by a safety padlock and can be used with lockout hasps to extend the number of padlocks used. Cable lockouts and car seals are other popular forms of mechanical lockout. Mechanical lockouts are made up of steel and metal, which can’t be used in an electrical environment because they can result in shock or spark.

Some common Lockout/Tagout devices include:

Circuit breaker Lockout: designed to help lock out most major brands or breakers. The goal of this product is to isolate a given breaker in a circuit breaker panel so that the entire breaker box does not need to be locked out.

Valve lockouts: designed to prevent gas or fluid valves from being opened while repair or maintenance is occurring. Ball valve lockouts are measured by the length of the handle. Gate valve lockouts are measured by the diameter of the knob.

Plug lockout: assists in locking out any electrical plug up to certain diameters.

Hasp: allows more than one worker to put their padlock on an energy control device when more than one worker is performing maintenance on a given piece of equipment.

Electrical/Pneumatic plug: this multipurpose device can lock out electrical cords and male air hose connectors

Gang box or group lockbox: this box allows for each lockout point to be secured with just one designated lock. commonly used to lockout very large pieces of equipment that have multiple work functions affecting the maintenance of the equipment. The accompanying keys are then placed in the box. The captured keys cannot be removed, or the equipment re-energized until all have removed their locks from the box.

Adjustable cable lockout: comes with a cable that allows for locking out a wide variety of electrical or valve lockouts and accommodates multiple padlocks.

Wall switch lockout: this prevents workers from tampering with switches or accidental startup of equipment. The switch can be locked in the on or off position.

OSHA Lockout device requirements

• Identify the individual who applied the lock (both tags and lock labels are acceptable for this purpose).
• Be standardized by shape, color, or size.
• Be distinguishable from locks used for other purposes. Lockouts locks should only be used for lockout.
• Be capable of withstanding the usage environment and must be strong enough to prevent removal except by using excessive force with special tools, such as bolt cutters.
• Be provided by the employer.