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710 Energy Control Program (Lockout/Tagout)
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Energy Control Program Components

Employers must ensure written LOTO procedures are developed, documented and used for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees are engaged in activities covered by 1910.147.

Contractor identifying equipment and machinery that require written procedures and making notes.
Identify equipment and machinery that require written procedures.

Written Procedures

Employers must develop, document, and make sure authorized employees use specific written LOTO procedures to control potentially hazardous energy when they perform servicing or maintenance. Well-written energy control procedures accurately instruct authorized employees to do all of the following:

  • Inform all affected employees of equipment shutdown
  • Shut down equipment in the proper order
  • Identify and engage energy-isolating devices or block hazardous energy
  • Lockout or tagout the energy-isolating devices
  • Remove, drain, neutralize, or block any potential (stored) energy
  • Verify the equipment is isolated from hazardous energy and rendered inoperative

Best Practice: It is considered a best practice to have a written program, or policy, to support the energy control program, in addition to clearly outlining expectations and accountability.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

2-1. Authorized employees must be provided _____ when they perform servicing or maintenance.