Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002A 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 exposed to the hazard of being caught in, crushing and/or amputation when performing inspections, set-up, adjustment, clearing jams or maintenance on machinery or equipment such as the wire mesh machines, truss machines, straight and cut machines, wire forming machines, wire drawing machines, descalers and iron worker: In the establishment, the employer did not provide an adequate program, nor were employees adequately trained in the recognition of hazards, safe shut down of machines and reducing machines to zero mechanical state as evident by the operation of the wire mesh machines, truss machines, straight and cut machines, wire forming machines, wire drawing machines, wire pointing machines, descalers and iron worker. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to establish and enforce an adequate plant lockout procedure such as that stipulated by ANSI Z244.1-1982, Section 4 and 5, American National Standard of Minimum Safety Requirements for for Lockout/Tagout of Energy Sources for Personnel Protection. Specific elements of the abatement program shall be expected to include, but not necessarily be limited to: 1. Establish a comprehensive written procedure for lock-out which includes procedures designed to instruct and train employees in recognition of hazards and proper lock-out procedures. 2. Require lock-out before any maintenance, inspection, clearing, adjusting or servicing that requires employees to enter or be in close contact with machinery or equipment. 3. Maintain available operation and maintenance manuals on all machinery or equipment. Assure that these manuals and other appropriate information are provided to employees before work is begun. 4. Establish and use a documented work order system which includes Supervisors' approval to reactivate machinery or equipment. 5. Disconnect or isolate machinery or equipment by positioning the switch, valve or other energy isolating device so that all energy sources (e.g. electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, etc.) are deactivated. Stored energy such as that in capacitors, springs, elevated machine members, rotating flywheels, hydraulic systems and gas, air, steam or water pressure, etc. must be dissipated or restrained by methods such as grounding, repositioning, blocking, bleeding down, etc. 6. Require that each exposed employee lock-out the eneregy isolating device with his/her personal lock. 7. Test machinery or equipment to ensure that the energy sources have been effectively disconnected or isolated. As a precautionary measure, return the operating controls to the "OFF" position after the test has been completed. NOTE: The test shall only be performed after ensuring that no employees are exposed in the machine or equipment area. 8. Remove locks only after ensuring the safety of all exposed employees. 9. Train employees responsible for machinery or equipment lock-out in all elements of the program. This training shall be repeated as frequently as necessary to maintain management and work proficiency and compliance with the procedure. 10. Evaluate the program periodically to ensure continued use and adequacy. 11. Enforce all provisions of the program.