Lock-Out/Tag-Out Program

Lock-Out/Tag-Out Program

I. PURPOSE

As part of its commitment to employee health and safety, ENPOINTE has developed this plan for the control of hazardous energy or “Lock-Out/Tag-Out” Program in accordance with the requirements established by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147. This plan is designed to prevent unexpected start-up or release of stored energy in order to prevent injury to employees. The plan assigns responsibilities for: disabling machinery; applying Lock-Out/Tag-Out controls to machinery undergoing maintenance or service; and completing appropriate levels of training to develop employee awareness of the potential hazards electrical, pneumatic, gas, and other energy sources present at this facility.

II. SCOPE

This Hazardous Energy Control Plan will:

  • inform personnel of workplace machinery and release energy hazards;
  • implement procedures for disabling any workplace machinery for service and maintenance;
  • train employees to use Lock-Out/Tag-Out devices, labels and procedures; and
  • assign responsibility for performing and inspecting machine Lock-Out/Tag-Out procedures.

III. ENERGY CONTROL PRACTICES

Lock-Out/Tag-Out procedures are required whenever performing major maintenance or service work on machines or equipment. Such activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • working on auxiliary or pile motors that are not disabled by a STOP/SAFE button;
  • cleaning frames and braces;
  • cleaning the feeder and delivery on sheetfed presses:
  • cleaning or replacing air filters removing fumes or heat from equipment operation;
  • removing major parts of machines such as panels or other barriers that restrict access
  • to moving mechanical parts of electrical energizing equipment;
  • performing work requiring the operator to leave the immediate area containing the operating controls where exclusive control by the operator is required;
  • removing rollers where two people are required and/or where there are no quick;
  • release sockets which permit safe roller removal by one person;
  • repairing a gripper bar on a sheetfed press.

If “minor maintenance” or “set-up” activities can be performed under “normal production” in a manner that “can be safely accomplished by employees”, Lock-Out/Tag-Out may not be required. Instances at ENPOINTE where Lock-Out/Tag-Out is not necessary (provided that adequate and operational safety guards are in place and sudden, unexpected energization cannot occur) include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • clearing certain types of paper jams;
  • minor cleaning (e.g. blanket and roller washing);
  • lubricating and adjusting machinery;
  • certain plate and blanket changing tasks;
  • mounting a plate;
  • setting bearer pressures;
  • setting folder adjustments;
  • setting rollers.

IV. LOCK-OUT/TAG-OUT PROCEDURES

When Lock-Out/Tag-Out procedures are called for, it is the ENPOINTE policy that Lock-Out devices and labels will be used for all machinery and equipment which is capable of accepting such locking devices. Use of “Tag-Out” devices only (i.e., no locks) will be limited to situations where the equipment cannot be physically locked-out. The following steps must be followed when performing maintenance or service work requiring Lock-Out/ Tag-Out:

  • Authorized and properly trained personnel will be familiar with the type and magnitude of energy hazard presented by the equipment before initiating the work.
  • If the machine is operating, it should be shut-down using the normal shut-off procedure.
  • Once turned-off, de-activate the energy isolating device (e.g., fuse, power cut-off) supplying power to the equipment.
  • Lock-Out the energy isolating device with assigned individual lock(s).
  • Relieve, disconnect or restrain all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy (by grounding, blocking, bleeding, or re-positioning).
  • Ensure that equipment is disconnected from the energy source by attempting to turn it on (after warning other personnel of the start attempt).
  • Label machine power source with “Danger: Do Not Start” tags which should be include date, time and person responsible for lock-out. Clearly communicate machine down-time to all affected employees.

For instances where the equipment will not accommodate locks, Tag-Out procedures can be applied using the identical steps described above, but using tags in lieu of locks.

The steps for re-storing equipment to service are:

  • Check the machine and surrounding area to make sure it is free of tools and debris.
  • Check the work area to make sure all employees are safely positioned or clear of the area.
  • Verify that controls are in neutral.
  • Remove the lock-out device and/or tags and re-energize the machine or equipment.

Remember: The only employee authorized to remove lock-out/tag-out devices is the same employee who secured such devices!

V. EQUIPMENT-SPECIFIC LOCKOUT PROCEDURES

ENPOINTE has developed equipment-specific instructions for locking out all major production equipment. These lockout procedures are located within the Maintenance Department. ENPOINTE maintenance employees are responsible for maintaining these procedures and assuring the effectiveness of the instructions they provide.

VI. PROCEDURE INVOLVING MORE THAN ONE PERSON

If more than one individual is required to Lock-Out or Tag-Out equipment, each shall place his/her own personal lock-out device on the energy isolating device(s). When an energy-isolating device cannot accept multiple locks or tags, a multiple lock-out or tag-out device (hasp) may be used

VII. PERSONEL OR SHIFT CHANGE

When work on a machine continues through shift or personnel changes, the employees leaving the worksite must remove his/her Lock-Out/Tag-out device at the same time the in-coming employee places his/her Lock-Out/Tag-Out device. In all cases, the off-going employee must communicate to the in-coming employee the status of the Lock-Out.

VIII. PERIODIC INSPECTIONS

When work on a machine continues through shift or personnel changes, the employees leaving the worksite must remove his/her Lock-Out/Tag-out device at the same time the in-coming employee places his/her Lock-Out/Tag-Out device. In all cases, the off-going employee must communicate to the in-coming employee the status of the Lock-Out.

IX. OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS

Outside contractors who perform service/maintenance work at ENPOINTE must comply with OSHA Lock-Out/Tag-Out provisions. This can be achieved by either following the contractor’s own established procedure or by following the procedure outlined in this Plan. As always, the responsibility for complying with this and all regulations resides squarely with the contractor.

Reviewed 10/31/22