Three Categories of LOTO Training
There are three types of employees which must receive training: authorized, affected, and other.
The amount and type of training that each employee receives is based upon the relationship of that employee's job to the machine or equipment being locked or tagged out and upon the degree of knowledge relevant to hazardous energy that the employee must possess.
In addition, employers are required to certify that effective training and retraining has been provided to all employees covered by the standard. The certification must contain each employee's name and dates of training.
Authorized Employees
Authorized employees lock out or tag out equipment and service or maintain the equipment. Required training for authorized employees includes:
- how to find and recognize hazardous energy sources;
- the types and magnitudes of energy used in the workplace; and
- how to isolate energy sources.
Affected Employees
Affected employees operate equipment serviced under lockout or tagout procedures or work in an area affected by the procedures. An affected employee becomes an authorized employee when the employee performs service or maintenance work on the equipment. Required training for affected employees includes:
- the purpose of energy-control procedures;
- how energy-control procedures are applied; and
- how energy-control procedures will protect them.
Other Employees
Other employees work around or otherwise might be in the vicinity of equipment that is under lockout/tagout. They need to receive awareness-level training regarding the Energy Control Program. They need to understand that if they see LOTO devices, they are not to touch them.
1910.147(c)(7) Training and Communication
1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer must provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls are acquired by employees. The training must include the following:
- 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Each authorized employee must receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.
- 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(B): Each affected employee must be instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure.
- 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(C): All other employees whose work operations are or may be in an area where energy control procedures may be used must be instructed about the procedure, and about the prohibition relating to attempts to restart or reenergize machines or equipment which are locked out or tagged out.
1910.147(c)(7)(ii): When tagout systems are used, employees must also be trained in the following limitations of tags:
- 1910.147(c)(7)(ii)(A): Tags are essentially warning devices affixed to energy isolating devices, and do not provide the physical restraint on those devices that is provided by a lock.
- 1910.147(c)(7)(ii)(B): When a tag is attached to an energy isolating means, it is not to be removed without authorization of the authorized person responsible for it, and it is never to be bypassed, ignored, or otherwise defeated.
- 1910.147(c)(7)(ii)(C): Tags must be legible and understandable by all authorized employees, affected employees, and all other employees whose work operations are or may be in the area, in order to be effective.
- 1910.147(c)(7)(ii)(D): Tags and their means of attachment must be made of materials which will withstand the environmental conditions encountered in the workplace.
- 1910.147(c)(7)(ii)(E): Tags may evoke a false sense of security, and their meaning needs to be understood as part of the overall energy control program.
- 1910.147(c)(7)(ii)(F): Tags must be securely attached to energy isolating devices so that they cannot be inadvertently or accidentally detached during use.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
3-2. Which employee category must know how to find and recognize hazardous energy sources, the types of magnitudes and energy used, and how to isolate energy sources?
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