Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: LOCKOUT

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were ex- posed to: (a) Inadvertent activation of extruders, etc., during set-up oiling, clearing jams and while adjustments are being made. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement meth- od to correct this hazard is to establish and enforce an ade- quate plant lockout procedure such as that stipulated by ANSI Z244.1-1982, Section 4 and 5, American National Standard of Min- imum Safety Requirements for Lockout/Tagout of Energy Sources for Personal Protection. Essential elements of the lockout pro- cedure would include: (1) Open and lock out the main power disconnect for the ma- chine and bleed off any residual energy. (2) Provide each potentially exposed employees working in the area with separate lock and key to be placed on the lockout means. (3) Establish a written lockout policy, including procedures to be followed and training for all affected employees. (4) Periodically evaluate the program and strictly enforce all of its provisions.