Creating a safe and compliant workplace involves more than just having a written policy—it requires the right tools and products to enforce those policies effectively. When it comes to controlling potentially hazardous energy sources, having the right lockout tagout (LOTO) safety products ensures that your team follows established procedures to a T.
At LockBoard, we prioritize workplace safety and compliance through products that support your lockout tagout procedures. Below, we’ll cover the must-have LOTO products that every workplace needs.
1. LOTO Boards
A well-organized LOTO board is the backbone of any successful LOTO program. Our boards at LockBoard are designed to store and organize all your lockout tagout devices, including safety lockout padlocks, safety tags, and energy control procedure manuals. By providing a centralized location for these critical tools, you can streamline maintenance activities, reduce human error, and ensure compliance with OSHA standards.
Having a LOTO board ensures maintenance personnel or the authorized employee can easily access the tools they need to isolate machinery energy hazards and control hazardous energy. Whether you’re isolating hydraulic energy in heavy machinery or neutralizing residual energy in electrical circuits, your LOTO system starts with a LockBoard.
2. Lockout Devices
Lockout devices are a core component of workplace safety systems. They are used to secure energy-isolating devices in a safe position so that dangerous equipment cannot be energized. These devices, such as safety lockout padlocks and mechanical devices, physically prevent triggers, switches, or buttons from being moved into the “on” position.
Lockout devices come in various forms depending on the specific requirements of your equipment. For instance, line valves are ideal for isolating water pressure or natural gas, while electrical circuit breakers are a preferred method for handling electrical hazards. Ensuring the placement of a lockout device on the right source of energy is critical to keeping machine operators and maintenance personnel safe.
3. Tagout Tags
Tagout tags are essential for communicating important safety information during work operations or maintenance work. These tags notify machine operators and affected employees of ongoing LOTO procedures, warning them not to reactivate power sources until specific requirements have been met.
To comply with OSHA’s standard, each safety tag must clearly display the name of the authorized person, the time of tagging, and the job title associated with the lockout. Using tagout tags alongside lockout devices ensures a cohesive tagout program that addresses both physical security and visual communication.
4. Group Lockout Boxes
For maintenance activities involving multiple maintenance personnel, a group lockout box is essential. These boxes allow multiple authorized workers to apply their own locks to tagout systems, ensuring exclusive control over the potentially hazardous energy sources.
A group lockout setup allows for a simple lockout process that minimizes human error by giving every worker the ability to add their own locks to the group box. This approach enhances occupational safety in situations where multiple sources of energy, such as electrical energy and hydraulic systems, must remain de-energized.
5. Push Buttons and Circuit Controls
Push buttons and “stop” switches are part of normal stopping procedures for equipment. However, it’s vital to pair them with lockout devices to ensure equipment stays in a safe position. The stop button can initiate an equipment shutdown, but only energy isolation through a physical lock can guarantee that stored energy or residual energy will not cause unexpected energization.
Ensure that push buttons are backed by robust safety precautions, such as additional lockout devices or circuit controls, when dealing with moving parts, chemical energy, or potentially hazardous energy sources.
6. Lockout Accessories
From cable locks and plug lockouts to ungrounded supply conductors and similar devices, lockout accessories play an important role in tailoring your system to specific machine needs. These small yet crucial tools enhance safety by allowing for the safe application of the LOTO system to different forms of energy.
Ensuring that you have the right mix of accessories based on the magnitude of energy and type of energy-isolating device in use is a hallmark of good practice in workplace safety.
Best Practices for Using Lockout Tagout Products
LOTO safety doesn’t end with purchasing the right tools—it’s about implementing them effectively. Follow these best practices to maximize workplace safety:
Training and Ownership: Authorized workers should receive proper training on the safe application of LOTO procedures, including the exclusive control of dangerous equipment.
Routine Inspections: Conduct periodic inspections to verify compliance with OSHA’s standard and to identify any potential hazards in your system.
Use of Quality Products: Always select OSHA-compliant devices that meet the minimum requirements and specific requirements for your equipment.
How LockBoard Can Help with Lockout Tagout Safety
At LockBoard, we believe that workplace safety begins with effective organization and access to high-quality LOTO tools. Our LOTO boards are designed to simplify the maintenance of specific equipment and heavy machinery by keeping your lockout tagout devices accessible and your team compliant with OSHA standards.
From helping machine operators isolate machinery energy hazards to assisting the owner department in maintaining a written energy control program, LockBoard offers the exclusive solution for organizing your LOTO system. Contact us today for more information on how our boards can help enhance workplace safety and reduce risks in your work area!
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