Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Lockout/Tagout Kits


Lockout/Tagout is in reference to procedures in safeguarding employees from the release of dangerous electrical or mechanical energy during the maintenance or service of equipment and machines and from and unexpected startup of these machines and equipment. The requirement designates that a worker switches off and disconnects the equipment or machinery from its energy sources prior to the performance of maintenance or service. The authorized employee should either lock or tag the energy-isolating device to prevent the release of dangerous or hazardous energy and take the proper steps to insure that the energy has been properly isolated. According to OSHA, about ten percent 10% of all accidents in the workplace are caused by not following the procedeures in containing dangerous and hazardous energy. This results in about 250,000 incidents, 50,000 injuries over 100 fatalities annually. OSHA is increasing the inspections related to lockout/tagout because of these statistics. A fatality related to such lax procedures in an organization can lead to millions of dollars in lawsuits. Additional costs can be incurred from the damage unexpected startup of equipment as well.

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