Sequence of Lockout

1. Notify all affected employees that maintenance is required on a machine and that the machine must be shut down and locked out to perform the maintenance. [Identify the names and job titles of affected employees and how to notify them.]
2. The authorized employee must refer to the company procedure to identify the type and magnitude of energy that the machine utilizes, must understand the hazards of the energy, and must know the methods to control the energy. [Identify the type(s) and magnitude(s) of energy, its hazards, and the methods to control the energy.]
3. If the machine is operating, shut it down by the normal stopping procedure (depress the stop button, open switch, close valve, etc.). [Identify the type(s) and location(s) of machine operating controls.]
4. De-activate the energy-isolating device(s) so that the machine is isolated from the energy source(s). [Identify the type(s) and location(s) of energy-isolating devices.]
5. Lock out the energy-isolating device(s) with assigned individual lock(s).
6. Stored or residual energy (such as that in capacitors, springs, elevated machine members, rotating flywheels, hydraulic systems, and air, gas, steam, or water pressure, etc.) must be dissipated or restrained by methods such as grounding, repositioning, blocking, bleeding down, etc. [Identify the type(s) of stored energy and methods to dissipate or restrain.]
7. Ensure that equipment is disconnected from the energy source(s) by first checking that no personnel are exposed, then verify the isolation of the equipment by operating the push button or other normal operating control(s) or by testing to make certain the equipment will not operate. Caution: Return operating control(s) to neutral or "off" position after verifying the isolation of the equipment. [Identify the method of verifying the isolation of the equipment.]
8. The machine is now locked out.

Restoring Equipment to Service

When maintenance is completed and the machine is ready to return to normal operating condition, the following steps must be taken:

1. Check the machine and its immediate area to ensure nonessential items have been removed and that the machine components are operationally intact.
2. Check the work area to ensure that all employees have been safely positioned or removed from the area.
3. Verify that the controls are in neutral.
4. Remove the lockout devices and reenergize the machine.
5. Notify affected employees that maintenance is completed and the machine is ready for use.

To learn more about Construction Lockout/Tagout visit our Construction Lockout/Tagout Online Training web page.