[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Middle 8-17-1995 as Ord. No. 937-95. Amendments noted where applicable.]
ATTACHMENTS
172a Lockout
[1]
Editor's Note: Copies of forms pertaining to lockout and tagout procedures may be found at the end of this chapter.
This program is instituted to protect all persons while servicing or maintaining machines, equipment, valves, pipes and wires where the unexpected energization, start up, or release of energy could cause injury to persons or property; and to establish minimum performance requirements for the control of hazardous energy. The program has been designed to meet the standards of N.J.A.C. 12:100 Safety And Health Standards For Public Employees, Subchapter 11 Control Of Hazardous Energy Sources.
The purpose of this program is to prevent injuries to employees and other persons from the unexpected energization, start-up or release of stored energy from machines, equipment, or processes when such persons are engaged in the activities listed in the paragraph above.
A. 
The procedures will be followed in sequence:
(1) 
The identified machines or equipment shall be turned off or shut down by authorized employees.
(2) 
All energy isolating devices such as switches, slide gates, live valves, blocks, shall be physically located and operated in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from energy source(s).
(3) 
Lockout and tagout device application. Appropriate and effective lockout and tagout devices shall be affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees, and shall prevent or inhibit reactivation of energy isolation devices and shall be used as follows:
(a) 
Lockout devices shall be affixed in a manner that will hold the energy isolating devices in a "safe" or "off" position;
(b) 
Tagout devices shall be affixed in such a manner as will clearly indicate that the operation or movement of energy isolating devices from the "safe" or "off" position is prohibited; and
(c) 
Where a tag cannot be affixed directly to the energy isolating device, the tag shall be located as close as safely possible to the device, in a position that will be immediately obvious to anyone attempting to operate the device.
(4) 
Stored energy. Following the application of lockout and tagout devices to energy isolating devices, all potentially hazardous, stored or residual energy shall be relieved, disconnected, restrained, and/or otherwise rendered safe. If there is a possibility of reaccumulation of stored energy to a hazardous level, verification of isolation shall be continued until the activity is completed, or until the possibility of such accumulation no longer exists.
(5) 
Verification of isolation. Prior to starting work on equipment or processes that have been locked out and tagged out, an authorized employee shall take the steps necessary to verify that isolation and de-energization of the machine or equipment has been accomplished. The steps shall ensure that the lockout and tagout devices are so positioned or located as to isolate and de-energize the equipment or process effectively in accordance with Subsection A(2) and (3) above and that stored energy has been rendered safe in accordance with Subsection A(4) above.
A. 
Before lockout and tagout devices are removed and energy is restored to the machine or equipment, procedures shall be followed and actions shall be taken by an authorized employee to ensure the following:
(1) 
The work area shall be inspected for removal of nonessential items and to ensure the components are operationally intact and that all employees have been safely positioned or removed; and
(2) 
Lockout and tagout devices shall be removed from each energy isolating device by the employee who applied the device, with the exception that devices may be removed under the direction of an authorized employee under the following conditions, and only where the authorized employees follow specific procedures which have been developed for those conditions:
(a) 
When the employee who applied a personal lockout/tagout device is not available to remove the device; and
(b) 
Unique operating conditions involving complex systems, where the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible to do otherwise.
A. 
Training will be provided to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control procedures are understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application and removal of energy controls are available as needed. The training shall include the following:
(1) 
Authorized employees shall receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources and in the use of adequate methods and means for energy isolation and control;
(2) 
Affected employees shall be instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure; and
(3) 
All other employees whose work operations are or may be affected by the energy control procedure shall be instructed about the procedure and how it affects their work operations.
B. 
Periodic retraining shall be provided for all authorized and affected employees whenever a periodic inspection pursuant to N.J.A.C. 12:100-11.6 reveals, or whenever the employer has reason to believe that there are deviations from or inadequacies in the energy control procedure. The retraining shall reestablish employee proficiency and introduce new or revised control methods and procedures, as necessary.
A. 
Periodic inspections shall be conducted at least annually to ensure that the energy control procedures are being implemented. The inspections shall be:
(1) 
Performed by an authorized employee other than the one implementing the energy control procedures; and
(2) 
Designed to correct any deviations or inadequacies observed.
B. 
A record of the inspections shall be maintained. Included in the record will be a list of all equipment required to be locked out and tagged out, the date of the inspection and the name of the person performing the inspection.
A. 
In situations where the energy isolating devices(s) is locked and tagged, and there is a need to test or position the machine or equipment, the following sequence of action shall be implemented:
(1) 
Clear the machine or equipment of tools and materials and clear employees from the machine or equipment area in accordance with N.J.A.C. 12:100-11.11(a)1;
(2) 
Clear the control of locks and tags with appropriate procedures in accordance with N.J.A.C. 12:100-11.11(a)2;
(3) 
Energize and proceed with testing or positioning; and
(4) 
De-energize all systems and reapply energy control measures to continue the work.
B. 
Whenever outside servicing personnel are to be engaged in activities covered by the scope and application of this subchapter, the plant or facility employer shall inform them of the lockout/tagout procedures used by the facility.
(1) 
The plant or facility employer shall assure that the lockout/tagout procedures used by outside servicing personnel are compatible with existing in-plant procedures.
C. 
When lockout and tagout devices are used by a crew, craft, department, or other group, the affected employees shall be afforded a level of protection equivalent to that provided by personal lockout and tagout devices.
(1) 
Group lockout and tagout devices shall be used in accordance with the procedures required by N.J.A.C. 12:100-11.11(a)1, including, but not necessarily limited to, the following specific requirements:
(a) 
Primary responsibility shall be vested in an authorized employee for a set number of employees working under the protection of a particular group lockout and tagout devices;
(b) 
Provision for the authorized employee to ascertain the exposure status of individual group members with regard to the lockout and tagout of the equipment or process; and
(c) 
When more than one crew, craft, department, etc., is involved, the responsibility of the overall job-associated lockout/tagout control shall be assigned to an authorized employee designated to coordinate affected work forces and ensure continuity of protection.
D. 
Specific procedures shall be implemented during shift or personnel changes to ensure the continuity of lockout and tagout protection in accordance with N.J.A.C. 12:100-11.11(a)1. These procedures shall be developed as follows:
(1) 
For the orderly transfer of lockout and tagout devices between off-going and oncoming employees which will eliminate exposure to hazards from the unexpected energization, startup, or the release of stored energy of the equipment or process; and
(2) 
To ensure that the equipment or process is being maintained in a safe condition so as to permit continued work by employees following the transfer of control over lockout and tagout devices.