University personnel who service or maintain equipment, machinery or systems with a hazardous energy source have a new resource for understanding group lockout/tagout (LOTO). The Understanding Group LOTO Focus Sheet contains important safety information for Authorized Persons performing service or maintenance activities in groups of two or more.
- A group LOTO procedure is required when at least two Authorized Persons are involved in the servicing and maintenance of equipment, machines, or systems.
- Each Authorized Person uses a personal lock and tag to ensure their control over the hazardous energies they might be exposed to during service or maintenance activities.
A set of safe work practices and procedures, along with locking and tagging out (LOTO) equipment with energy-isolating devices, are required to mitigate potential exposure to hazardous energy sources inherent to the equipment. Common types of hazardous energy include chemical, electrical, hydraulic, gravitational, pressure/vacuum, mechanical and thermal; each of these have the potential to cause an injury or fatality if a person comes into direct contact with it.
Learn more about group LOTO and other hazardous energy control requirements in the UW Hazardous Energy Control Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Program Manual and the Lockout-Tagout Initial training course.
Contact EH&S Occupational Safety & Health at 206.543.7388 with questions.