Top 5 Lockout/Tagout Devices for Manufacturing Facilities
Industrial facilities deal with different types of machinery, electrical panels, valves, pneumatic systems, and other energy sources. Most of these machines store energy in them, which may be released during the time of maintenance. That is why simply switching them off is not helpful, and it may become hazardous for the maintenance team. It is strictly advised to get the energy source isolated and secured so that machines and equipment cannot be restarted accidentally. To ensure that OSHA has formed several regulations and advises making use of the right Lockout/Tagout devices.
In this blog, we are sharing five commonly used lockout/tagout devices for manufacturing facilities that help maintain workplace safety.
Circuit Breaker Lockout Devices
Electrical maintenance is common across every industry and manufacturing plant. To ensure that electrical energy is completely isolated before beginning maintenance, a circuit breaker lockout device is used. They are helpful in physically preventing a breaker from being switched on after it has been isolated. However, depending on their use, different breakers require different locking mechanisms. That is why it is advised to choose circuit breaker devices that are compatible with the breaker models installed at the industrial site. Ensure that this LOTO device comes with non-conductive construction to prevent electrical current from passing.
Valve Lockout Devices
Manufacturing processes also depend on water, gas, steam, chemicals or compressed air. They are controlled with the help of valves attached at their passage. During maintenance, workers often simply close valves, which at times results in accidents. That is why it is advised to choose valve lockout devices which are fitted over or around the valve to keep it in a safe position and prevent unauthorized operation while the work is being carried out. But when it comes to purchasing these valves, one must consider the size and configuration of valves at an industrial site. The right valve lockout device can be selected according to the valve type, dimensions, and the conditions in which it will be used.
Safety Padlocks
A safety padlock is one of the basic components of a lockout/tagout system. It is used to secure a lockout device so that an isolated machine, electrical panel, or energy source cannot be switched back on while maintenance is in progress. Unlike a general-purpose padlock, a safety padlock is intended for workplace energy-control procedures. That is why it is advised that every authorized employee must use assigned padlocks to control their own locks at the manufacturing facilities. This makes it clear who has locked out the equipment and ensures that a worker’s lock is not removed while they are still working on the machine. This supports a clear LOTO procedure and prevents another person from removing a worker’s lock without authorization.
Lockout Hasps
Maintenance work is often carried out by a team rather than a single person, and a lockout hasp makes group lockout easier by allowing several workers to place their individual safety padlocks on the same energy-isolation point. So if around 5 technicians are working on one machine, each person can attach their own padlock to the hasp. It ensures that the equipment remains locked out until every worker has finished the job and removed their individual lock. This provides an additional layer of control when group maintenance activities take place.
Lockout Tagout Stations and Kits
A centralized LOTO station or lockout/tagout kit commonly uses safety devices together in one accessible location. Instead of keeping breaker lockouts, valve lockouts, safety padlocks, tags and hasps in different places, a facility can organize them at a designated LOTO point. All these LOTO devices can be selected according to the machinery and energy sources present at the facility. This also helps preventing waste of time looking for individual devices.
Conclusion
Being aware of the right Lockout/Tagout devices helps choosing the right LOTO devices according to the manufacturing facilities. From circuit breaker lockouts and valve lockouts to safety padlocks, hasps and complete LOTO kits, each device serves a specific energy-isolation requirement. However, it is advised to select them based on the machinery, energy sources, workplace conditions and compatibility of the device. We at Globalite Safety offers all these above-mentioned industrial LOTO solutions to support effective energy-control procedures across different manufacturing applications and maintenance environments.
