Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) (Control of Hazardous Energy)
Lockout/Tagout is a safety procedure critical for the service and maintenance of machinery or electrical systems in cases where employees could be hurt by the unexpected start up, or energization of the equipment. It applies to all energy sources including mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, and even gravity. An effective Lockout/Tagout program can help protect workers by ensuring that machines and circuits are properly shut off (or de-energized) and not turned on(energized) again until the work is completed.
Rules
General Rules
- Lockout/Tagout (Chapter 296-803, WAC)
Rules for Specific Activities or Workplaces
- Construction, Electrical (WAC 296-155-429)
- Electrical Workers, Agriculture (WAC 296-307-378)
- Electrical Workers, General (WAC 296-45-175)
- General Workplace Electrical Safety Requirements (WAC 296-24 Part L)
- General, Agriculture (WAC 296-307-320)
- Grain Handling (WAC 296-99-065)
- Logging (WAC 296-54-517)
- Pulp & Paper (WAC 296-79-220)
- Sawmills (WAC 296-78-71503)
- Ski Areas (WAC 296-59-055)
Policies
Hazard Alerts, Bulletins & Notices
Industrial Ice-Making Systems (195 KB PDF)- Preventing Worker Deaths from Uncontrolled Release of Electrical, Mechanical, and Other Types of Hazardous Energy
Training Materials
Videos
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Library.
Important:
Some videos may contain code violations or information inconsistent with Washington State's Safety & Health rules.
Many commercially produced safety and health videos are based on Federal OSHA Standards. Federal OSHA standards may not be as stringent as the Washington State Industrial Safety and Health Standards. Every effort has been made by the library to evaluate the videos before purchasing them. Safety and Health Standards may have changed since the time of purchase. The user assumes the responsibility of previewing the videos before showing and using it with a knowledgeable instructor.
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Other Resources
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Important:
"Links" to other information sources are provided as a courtesy, but we cannot vouch for or take responsibility for information contained beyond files administered by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Links from this page do not represent or imply the endorsement of commercial products by the State of Washington, Labor and Industries, or by departmental staff. For more information, read L&I's Intended Usage policy.
- Common Grounds
- Control of Hazardous Energy, Self Inspection Checklist (NIOSH)
- Dangers to workers from incorrectly rebuilt circuit breakers - OSHA Hazard Alert
- Electrician Electrocuted When Contact is Made with an Energized Disconnect Switch - FACE Report
- Employee Killed Maintaining Hydraulics on Forklift (L&I Fatality Bulletin)
- Equipment operator dies from rotating disc on excavator (DOSH Fatality Bulletin)
- Floor Jack Slips, Kills Worker (L&I Fatality Bulletin)
- Helpful Tool: Sample Lockout Procedures
- Light Bulb Electrocution - FACE Report
- OSHA's Lockout/Tagout Topic Page
- Poster: High Noise Area-Wear Your Hearing Protection
- Safety Poster: Know Your Lockout/Tagout Safety Procedure
- Sample Lockout Procedures
- SHARP Injury Narrative Report - An Electrician and an Electrical Helper Burned During Arc Flash Explosions
- Temporary Worker Seriously Injures Hand Unclogging Dust Collection Machine.
- Wood Chip Conveyor (L&I Fatality Bulletin)
- Worker killed by bulldozer (DOSH Fatality Bulletin)
- Worker Killed While Clearing Stuck Bowling Pin (L&I Fatality Bulletin)
How can I get help from L&I?
- To request a confidential workplace safety or health consultation, call or visit http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Assistance/Consultation/about.asp for no charge technical assistance.
- For help with controlling your claims costs, call or visit http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Assistance/Consultation/riskmanagement.asp for a no charge risk management consultation.
- Find information about filing a workplace safety & health complaint you may call or visit a local L&I office to file a complaint.
- Follow guidance in Steps To a Safe Workplace to create your safety program from scratch.
- For general information, call 1-800-423-7233.
