Lockout Tagout (LOTO) procedures are safety steps that keep dangerous machines and equipment completely shut off. As a result, the equipment cannot start up or release stored energy while workers service or repair it. OSHA addresses these procedures in its Control of Hazardous Energy standard (29 CFR 1910.147). ITI Technical College faculty teach students the Process Technology knowledge and skills to put LOTO procedures into practice on the job. Contact us today for more information.
Lockout Tagout Is Critical For Process Technology
Lockout Tagout protects technicians and other workers from the unexpected startup of machinery. It also protects them from the release of hazardous energy during maintenance, servicing, or plant shutdowns. Students in the Process Technology program at ITI Technical College study how LOTO fits into plant work. These areas include:
- Hazardous Energy Control: Process plants involve many energy types. These include high-pressure steam, flammable or toxic chemicals, pneumatic lines, hydraulic systems, and electrical circuits. LOTO helps technicians isolate or block these sources when work requires it.
- Standard Operating Procedures: Technicians follow written, step-by-step energy-isolation procedures. Examples include closing manual valves, blanking or bleeding lines, and opening circuit breakers. Technicians complete these steps first, before they open vessels, replace pumps, or service instruments.
- Verification Of Isolation: Before hands-on work begins, an authorized employee must verify isolation and deenergization. For example, the employee can check local gauges or test for voltage.
- Control Systems Are Not Isolation: A stop command from a control panel does not isolate equipment from its energy source. The same is true for a distributed control system (DCS) or a programmable logic controller (PLC). OSHA does not count push buttons, selector switches, and similar control circuit devices as energy-isolating devices.
- Regulatory Compliance: The OSHA standard applies to general industry. It sets minimum requirements for energy control programs, so plant operators and instrumentation technicians need to understand it.
Key Steps In LOTO Procedures
ITI Technical College students learn the key steps in LOTO procedures. These steps match the sequence in the OSHA standard:- Preparation And Notification: Identify all hazardous energy sources, such as electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, and thermal energy. Then notify affected employees that maintenance is about to begin.
- Shutdown: Turn off the machine or equipment with the normal stopping procedure.
- Isolation: Operate the energy-isolating devices, such as breakers and valves. This step separates the equipment from its energy sources.
- Lock And Tag Application: Authorized employees attach individual locks and warning tags to each energy-isolating device. Tags must clearly identify the employee who applied them. They also warn others not to operate the equipment.
- Stored Energy: Relieve, disconnect, restrain, or otherwise make safe any stored or residual energy. Examples include trapped pressure, hydraulic fluid, compressed air, and capacitors.
- Verification: Before work begins, verify that the equipment has no energy. For example, use appropriate voltage or pressure testing instruments.
ITI Technical College teaches students the knowledge and skills they need to put LOTO procedures into practice on the job.
Lockout Tagout: Restoring Equipment And Machines To Service
Restoring equipment to service after lockout tagout requires the release steps in the OSHA standard. OSHA also summarizes these steps in its lockout/tagout release tutorial. Technicians in the Process Technology program at ITI Technical College learn these steps:- Inspect And Clear The Work Area: Remove nonessential items, tools, and debris from the machine. Then verify that its components, safety features, and guards are back in place and working.
- Clear Personnel: Check that all employees are safely positioned or have left the area.
- Remove LOTO Devices: The employee who applied each device must remove it. If that employee is not available, the employer may remove the device, but only under documented procedures. First, the employer verifies that the employee is not at the facility. Next, the employer makes all reasonable efforts to contact the employee. Finally, the employer ensures that the employee knows about the removal before resuming work at the facility.
- Notify Affected Employees: Tell affected workers that someone removed the devices. Also tell them that the equipment is about to restart.
- Restore Energy: Operate the energy-isolating devices to return power or pressure to the machine. Then test it and resume normal operations.
Hands-On Training At ITI Technical College
The Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) Degree in Process Technology at ITI Technical College builds knowledge and skills through classroom and laboratory training. In addition, faculty members supervise this training. Also, students in this program practice LOTO essentials and learn how to use them on the job. The objective is to prepare students to operate industrial process equipment in entry-level positions, including:
- Chemical Process Technicians
- Power Plant Technicians
- Assistant Plant Operators
- Water Treatment Technicians
- Waste-Water Treatment Technicians
- Petroleum and Gas Process Technicians
- Energy Plant Technicians
To learn more, request information about ITI Technical College and its programs. Then make an appointment with an admissions advisor. Financial aid may be available to those who qualify.
Program availability, length, and outcomes vary. ITI Technical College does not guarantee employment or salary.
Disclosure:
For more information about graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website: https://iticollege.edu/disclosures/
