Lockout/Tagout LOTO Safety Kit:
Lockout/Tagout LOTO Safety Procedures include the safety practices for ensuring that the dangerous machines are appropriately shut down. The process helps in the maintenance activities, since by using this safety procedure the machines cannot emit dangerous radiations unexpectedly.
Nowadays when machines are present everywhere, Lockout tagout safety kits are really helpful. The purpose of inventing these machines is to make human life easier and faster, although these machines serve this purpose but only when they are rightly programmed, maintained, and controlled. For an accurate and hazard-free maintenance of the equipment Lockout tagout safety kits are designed and their practice is being made common.
As a result, the employees, workers, and workplace stay safe and efficient, and high-quality work can be conducted.
The Importance of Lockout/Tagout LOTO Safety Procedures:
With the evolution of industries, machines become more advanced, and as a result, they need more advanced maintenance processes. If the machinery is not shut off properly at the time of maintenance it can cause trouble for the environment and the persons around. As a result, if the worst situation occurs, fatalities and injuries may happen.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) provided safety rules during the maintenance of the hazardous energy sources, in 1982. Later on, in 1989, LOTO Lockout/Tagout Safety Kit guidelines started developing at OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Guidelines:
The guidelines prescribed by the OSHA Include all the energy sources, such as mechanical, electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, and thermal. In the fields where manufacturing plants are installed, either of these energy resources may
require maintenance activities. Sometimes more than one energy source may be subjected to maintenance. Lockout/ tagout LOTO Safety Procedures, as indicated in the name, has two approaches to ensure the protection of the workers. By
applying the LOTO technology, modern equipment becomes harmless during maintenance activities. The approaches involve:
1- Lockout:
In this approach, certain equipment is subjected to limited access.
2- Tagout:
The tagout approach warns the employees by giving warning signs about the expected hazards.
Both the approaches work collectively and ensure the safety of the workers. How Lockout/ Tagout LOTO works?
OSHA gives safety guidelines for the maintenance of the machinery that can unexpectedly emit dangerous energy. Such equipment must be subjected to servicing. The organizations must distinguish the machinery that is required to abide by such legal standards. It will provide two huge benefits to the organizations, firstly it will save the company from a heavy fine, secondly, it will provide protection to the employees, which is most important.
It requires proper documentation showing that all the equipment in a company complies with the set standards provided by the regulatory authorities. In this way, the equipment that can potentially emit dangerous energy gets highlighted.
LOTO Safety 7 Steps of Lockout / Tagout:
After identifying all the equipment with the hazardous energy sources, and documenting the maintenance procedures, some general rules must be followed before accomplishing the servicing activities. Those steps are mentioned below:
1- First of all, prepare the equipment for shutdown.
2- Notify the staff that will be affected, and also notify them about the equipment that is about to undergo maintenance.
3- Then shut down the equipment properly.
4- Detach the items and the hazardous energy source.
5- Break down the leftover energy.
6- Apply the required tagout lockout devices.
7- Make sure to verify that the equipment is properly detached.
The 7 rules are mandatory to check before carrying out the maintenance activities for the required equipment.
LOTO lockout tagout Safety Kit:
There is certain physical equipment that needs to undergo the LOTO safety procedure. For convenience, such equipment can be categorized into two types. Those two types are mentioned below:
1- Lockout devices:
Physical instructions for ensuring that the specific equipment is out of access or separated. Lock and key are the most common examples of lockout devices. In this way, the people stay aside and do not attempt to approach the locked equipment.
2- Tagout devices:
It includes warning devices for identifying any dangerous equipment that can be a hazardous energy source. These devices include the signs and symbols that are safely attached to the equipment.
Both lockout and tagout devices isolate the equipment making them prominent, not only for the safety of machinery but also for the safety of people around them as well. Resulting in safer and more secure maintenance procedures.
Recently, the advancements and modifications in the technology helped in including the non-physical tools to carry out an efficient LOTO procedure. This includes the special software that is now being used as lockout and tagout devices. Another additional advanced feature is tracking the LOTO procedures via maintenance management software. This function ensures perfect compliance with the standards.
The importance of lockout and tagout:
The importance of lockout and tagout is undeniable. Reports show that a great number of tragedies during maintenance activities could be prevented just by the
implementation of LOTO (Lockout and tagout procedure). For an example let’s have a look at a past incident in which the demise of a 21-year-old temporary worker could have been avoided by applying LOTO technology. The person was cleaning the palletizing machine, which was mistakenly switched on and as a result, the sad accident happened.
Machines are an important and compulsory part of industries and other workplaces, we cannot cut them off from the environment, but we can make sure to handle them safely. The safety culture in the different industrial areas should be promoted for providing a safe and secure working environment to the employees. The employees should be assured that no harm can be done to them while doing their work. The LOTO (lockout and tagout safety kit) is a guarantee to make the work environment and the workplace safer for the employees and the machines as well. Consequently, it provides peace of mind and a better productivity.
Advantages of LOTO lockout tagout safety procedures:
The advantages of the LOTO lockout tagout safety procedure are vast. Let’s have a look at them:
1- The technology helps to isolate the equipment from the environment.
2- The lockout tagout procedures ensure safe and easy maintenance of the equipment.
3- The employees of an organization stay safe and the risk of injuries and fatalities is minimized.
4- The compliance with the LOTO lockout tagout standards saves an organization from paying heavy fines.
5- The workers rest assured about their safety and work confidently resulting in high productivity.
Conclusion:
The safety of the employees can be ensured by practicing the lockout / tagout, specifically from hazardous energy sources. If an organization fails to comply with the rules of LOTO, it will have to pay heavy fines. Also, the chances of injuries and
fatalities in such organizations increase. The awareness about using the lockout tagout safety kit, including the advanced software, must be spread to make their usage a common practice.
Fire Safety Pvt ltd:
Fire Safety Pvt ltd is a trustworthy company that has been in the safety industry for years. Our aim is simple and clear, we understand the safety needs of our people and struggle to provide equipment that exactly meets their needs. We are the leading providers of firefighting and fire safety equipment.
Our company keeps on searching for the best and latest technology and equipment to make them available for our valued customers. We are affiliated with the world’s famous brands, and import their high quality and best products to supply them here. We feel proud to make efforts and serve you for ensuring your safety and protection. Our staff is expert in the installation, maintenance, and inspection of different safety systems. So, delay no more if you are looking for LOTO lockout / tagout safety Procedures at reasonable prices in Pakistan. We are available in-store and online.