What Is Lockout Tagout (LOTO)?
Lockout tagout (LOTO) is a critical safety procedure designed to protect workers from the unexpected startup of machinery and equipment during maintenance or servicing. By isolating hazardous energy sources—electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, and thermal—LOTO ensures that machines remain in a safe, de-energized state until work is completed.
Every year, failure to properly control hazardous energy results in approximately 50,000 injuries and nearly 120 fatalities in the United States alone. OSHA's Control of Hazardous Energy standard (29 CFR 1910.147) exists specifically to prevent these tragedies, making LOTO compliance not just a best practice but a legal requirement.
Why Lockout Tagout Matters
The consequences of skipping or improperly executing LOTO procedures are severe. Workers can suffer crushed limbs, amputations, burns, electrocution, and even death when equipment unexpectedly energizes. Beyond the human toll, OSHA violations related to LOTO consistently rank among the agency's top ten most frequently cited standards, carrying penalties that can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars per incident.
Proper lockout tagout training and implementation protect everyone on the job site. When every authorized and affected employee understands their role in the LOTO process, the entire workplace becomes dramatically safer.
The 6 Steps of a Lockout Tagout Procedure
A compliant LOTO procedure follows six essential steps that must be executed in order:
1. Preparation: Identify all energy sources associated with the equipment, determine the type and magnitude of energy, and gather the necessary lockout and tagout devices.
2. Notification: Inform all affected employees that a lockout tagout procedure is about to begin and explain why the shutdown is necessary.
3. Equipment Shutdown: Power down the machine or equipment using its normal stopping procedure to avoid creating additional hazards.
4. Isolation and Lockout: Physically isolate all energy sources by switching off breakers, closing valves, or disconnecting power supplies. Apply individual locks and tags to each energy-isolating device.
5. Stored Energy Verification: Release or restrain any residual or stored energy, including capacitors, springs, elevated components, and pressurized systems. Verify that all energy has been effectively dissipated.
6. Verification of Isolation: Attempt to restart the equipment to confirm it is fully de-energized. Once verified, the maintenance or servicing work can safely begin.
Who Needs LOTO Training?
OSHA requires training for three categories of employees. Authorized employees are those who perform the lockout tagout procedures and carry out maintenance work. Affected employees operate or work near equipment that requires LOTO procedures. Other employees work in areas where LOTO procedures may be in use and must understand that they should never attempt to remove locks or tags.
Training must be provided whenever new employees are hired, when job assignments change, when new equipment or processes are introduced, or when audits reveal gaps in existing procedures. Retraining ensures that knowledge stays current and that complacency never compromises safety.
Get LOTO Certified Quickly and Affordably
Understanding and implementing lockout tagout procedures is essential for workplace safety and regulatory compliance. Whether you are an employer building a safety program or a worker looking to advance your career, proper LOTO certification demonstrates your commitment to protecting lives.
FastCredentials.com offers comprehensive, OSHA-aligned lockout tagout training that you can complete at your own pace. Our courses are designed to equip you with the knowledge and certification you need—fast. Visit FastCredentials.com today to enroll and take the next step toward a safer workplace.