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812 OSHA Focus Four Hazards
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Other Methods to Secure Machinery

Your employer should provide a lock-out/tag-out program or equivalent system to ensure equipment is not accidentally energized during maintenance or repair.

Know your employers lockout/tagout procedures

Lockout/tagout procedures are specifically required for equipment used in concrete and masonry operations. Bulldozer and scraper blades, end loader buckets, dump bodies, and similar equipment must be blocked or fully lowered when being repaired or not in use.

Make sure your equipment is de-energized and cannot be started accidentally.

  • First, disconnect tools when not in use, before servicing, and when changing accessories such as blades, bits, and cutters.
  • Turn off vehicles before you do maintenance or repair work.
  • If possible, lockout the power source to the equipment. The type of power source may be electric, pneumatic, liquid fuel, hydraulic, or powder-actuated.
  • Lower or block the blades of bulldozers, scrapers, and similar equipment before you make repairs or when the equipment is not in use.

For more information on Lockout/Tagout requirements, please see course 710 Energy Control Program (Lockout/Tagout).

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-2. What procedure is required to prevent accidental or unexpected startup of equipment?