511 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 9-15

Chapter 12: Control of Hazardous Energy

The requirements of this chapter are applicable to contractors only. This chapter outlines specific requirements aimed at contractors for managing hazardous energy sources in the workplace to prevent accidents and injuries.

Authorized employee applying a lockout device to door handle

This chapter outlines specific requirements aimed at contractors for managing hazardous energy sources.

It emphasizes the importance of developing, implementing, and adhering to a Site-Specific Energy Control Plan (SSECP) and Hazardous Energy Control Procedures (HECP).

The chapter details the necessary qualifications and training for personnel involved in hazardous energy control, including authorized individuals, affected persons, and incidental individuals, ensuring they are proficient in identifying hazardous energy sources, understanding the type and magnitude of energy in their workplace, and executing energy isolation and control methods effectively.

The chapter elaborates on the roles and responsibilities of both USACE-owned/operated facilities and contractor-controlled sites in managing hazardous energy. It mandates the creation of Hazard Isolation Procedures (HIPs) for specific machines, equipment, or processes, and the use of lockout/tagout (LOTO) devices to secure energy isolating devices.

It also outlines the procedures for developing Activity Hazard Analyses (AHAs) that include hazardous energy controls, and establishes minimum plan requirements for SSECPs and HIPs to ensure a comprehensive approach to hazardous energy management, emphasizing coordination, communication, and compliance enforcement across all parties involved.

12-1. References.

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 12-1.

12-1. References.

a.  ANSI/ASSP A10.44, Control of Energy Sources (Lockout/Tagout) For Construction and Demolition Operations (https://webstore.ansi.org/) (12-1.a)

b.  ANSI/ASSP Z244.1, The Control of Hazardous Energy, Tagout and Alternative Methods (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (12-1.b)

c.  ER 385-1-31, The Control of Hazardous Energy (https://www.publications.usace.army.mil/USACE-Publications/Engineer-Regulations/) (12-1.c)

d.  NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards)  (12-1.d)

e.  29 CFR 1910.147, The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol5/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol5- sec1910-147.pdf)  (12-1.e)

f.  29 CFR 1910.269, Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol5/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol5- sec1910-269.pdf)  (12-1.f)

g.  29 CFR 1910.333, Selection and Use of Work Practices (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol5/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol5- sec1910-333.pdf)  (12-1.g)

h.  29 CFR 1915.89, Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tags-Plus) (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol7/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol7- sec1915-89.pdf)  (12-1.h)

i.  29 CFR 1917.48, Conveyors (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020- title29-vol7/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol7-sec1917-48.pdf) (12-1.i)

j.  29 CFR 1918.64, Powered Conveyors (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol7/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol7- sec1918-64.pdf)  (12-1.j)

k.  29 CFR 1926.64, Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol8/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol8- sec1926-64.pdf)  (12-1.k)

l.  29 CFR 1926.417, Lockout and Tagging of Circuits (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol8/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol8- sec1926-417.pdf)  (12-1.l)

m. 29 CFR 1926.702, Requirements for Equipment and Tools (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol8/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol8- sec1926-702.pdf)  (12-1.m)

n.  29 CFR 1926.950, General (Electric Power Transmission and Distribution) (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol8/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol8- sec1926-950.pdf)  (12-1.n)

12-2. Definitions.

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 12-2.

12-2. Definitions.

a.  Affected Person.  A person whose position requires them to operate or use a system that is under lockout or tagout or whose position requires them to work in an area where a system that is under lockout or tagout is being serviced or maintained. (12-2.a)

b.  Authorized Individual Hazardous Energy Control (HEC).  Someone who meets the criteria for a QP as defined in this manual (see paras 1-2 or 2-2, as applicable), who is designated in writing to request, receive, implement, and remove hazardous energy isolation procedures. (12-2.b)

c.  Commingled. A term used to describe the cable runs within the electric power generation, transmission, and distribution facility (for example, cable trays, wiring ducts, conduit installations) in which the wiring from the utilization equipment (for example, lights, cafeteria equipment, sump pumps) is run together with wiring from power generation equipment (for example, boiler pumps, transformer fans, coal handling operations).  (12-2.c)

d.  Construction.  Construction, alteration and/or repair, includes painting and decorating. (12-2.d)

e.  Contractor Controlled Site.  A system, site, or area clearly defined and accepted by the KO or COR, in which the contractor is responsible for the application of their Site-Specific Energy Control Plan (SSECP) and the development and use of hazard isolation procedures (HIPs). (12-2.e)

f.  Energy Isolation Device.  A physical device that prevents the transmission or release of energy. Includes but is not limited to manually operated circuit breakers, disconnect switches, slide gates, slip blinds, line valves, blocks, or similar devices, capable of blocking or isolating energy, with a position indicator.  The term does not include push buttons, selector switches, and other control circuit type devices.  (12-2.f)

g.  Hazardous Energy.  Any energy including but not limited to mechanical (for example, power transmission apparatus, counterbalances, springs, pressure, gravity), pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, chemical, nuclear, and thermal (for example, high or low temperature) energies, which could cause injury to employees.  (12-2.g)

h.  Hazardous Energy Control Program (HECP).  An organization’s methods and mindset for the control of hazardous energy at the corporate level.  The HECP document speaks in generalities and is intended to be all-encompassing.  It covers all scenarios an organization may encounter.  It does not contain information pertaining to a specific location.  It includes definitions, roles and responsibilities, methods and procedures, training, program review, and reportable incident history.  (12-2.h)

i.  Hazard Isolation Procedure (HIP).  A written step-by-step procedure for the control of hazardous energy pertaining to a specific task or work area that has the potential for the release of hazardous energy.  This includes identifying all hazards associated with the work item, total number of isolation points, procedural steps for de- energizing and isolating with lockout, and requirements for testing the effectiveness of energy control measures.  The HIP must also address the step-by-step procedures for the restoration of equipment.  (12-2.i)

j.  Incidental Individual.  An individual who under normal circumstances, would not be in an area where a system is under lockout and/or tagout, but is required to enter or pass through such an area.  (12-2.j)

k.  Isolation. An activity that physically prevents the transmission or release of energy. (12-2.k)

l.  Issuing Individual.  Is a person with jurisdiction over an area or project, for example, they may be the operator in charge of a shift at a powerhouse or lock, the supervisory engineer of a project or facility, or other person having operational control or system to be placed under HEC procedures.  (12-2.l)

m. Lockout. A form of HEC using the placement of a lockout device, according to established procedures, on an energy-isolating device to ensure that the energy- isolating device and the system being controlled cannot be operated until the lockout device is removed. (12-2.m)

n.  Lockout Device.  A device that uses a positive means, such as a key or combination lock, to hold an energy-isolating device in the safe position and prevent the energizing of a system.  (12-2.n)

o.  Maritime Industry.  Includes the construction, repair, and scrapping of vessels, as well as the movement of cargo and other materials.  (12-2.o)

p.  Site-Specific Energy Control Plan (SSECP).  A written plan for a specific location that clearly and specifically identifies the hazardous energy sources and outlines the scope, purpose, and procedures for periodic inspections, procedural steps for creating and updating HIPs, site specific training documents, and assignment of roles and responsibilities defined in the HECP.  (12-2.p)

q.  Stored Energy.  Energy (for example, electrical, mechanical, chemical, hydraulic, pneumatic, gravitational) that might be found in a charge capacitor, a loaded spring, chemical solutions, flood control barrier, or other similar hazardous form.
(12-2.q)

r.  Tagout. A form of HEC procedure using the placement of a tagout device according to established procedures, on an energy-isolating device to indicate that the energy-isolating device and the system being controlled may not be operated until the tagout device is removed.  (12-2.r)

s.  Tagout Device.  A prominent warning device, such as a tag with a means of attachment, which can be securely attached to an energy-isolating device according to established procedures to indicate that the energy-isolating device and system being controlled may not be operated until the tagout device is removed.  (12-2.s)