710 Energy Control Program (Lockout/Tagout)

The 8 Exceptions

The employer must document and provide LOTO procedures in writing for each machine or unique piece of equipment unless ALL of the following eight exceptions exist:

1. The machine or equipment has no potential for stored or residual energy or reaccumulation of stored energy after shut down which could endanger employees.
2. The machine or equipment has a single energy source which can be readily identified and isolated.
3. The isolation and locking out of the energy source will completely deenergize and deactivate the machine or equipment.
4. The machine or equipment is isolated from the energy source and locked out during servicing or maintenance.
5. A single lockout device will achieve a lock-out condition.
6. The lockout device is under the exclusive control of the authorized employee performing the servicing or maintenance.
7. The servicing or maintenance does not create hazards for other employees.
8. The employer, in utilizing this exception, has had no accidents involving the unexpected activation or reenergization of the machine or equipment during servicing or maintenance.

Remember, if any one of the above exceptions exists, written LOTO procedures are required. Most likely, one or more of the exemptions will exist.

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