Lockout/tagout (LOTO) is a critical safety procedure to protect workers from hazardous energy during machine servicing and maintenance. 

By isolating energy sources and securing them with locks or tags, LOTO prevents unexpected startup or the release of stored energy, which could lead to severe injuries or fatalities. 

In Canada, incidents related to hazardous energy continue to pose significant risks, with nearly 14% of workplace fatalities in 2022 linked to machinery accidents, emphasizing the importance of implementing LOTO procedures.

A key aspect of a successful LOTO program is identifying authorized and affected employees in lockout/tagout.

Authorized employees are trained personnel responsible for implementing LOTO procedures, such as isolating energy sources and applying locks or tags. 

On the other hand, affected employees work near or use the equipment but do not directly handle its servicing. 

Understanding these roles is essential for preventing accidents, ensuring smooth communication, and maintaining compliance with safety regulations like Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and Canadian occupational health and safety laws.

This blog will guide you on clearly identifying authorized and affected employees in your workplace, ensuring everyone understands their responsibilities in the LOTO process. 

Proper identification and training protect workers and contribute to a safety culture that benefits everyone on-site.

What are Lockout/Tagout Procedures?

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Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures are essential safety protocols used in workplaces to prevent accidental injuries caused by releasing hazardous energy. 

These procedures ensure that machinery or equipment is properly shut off, isolated from energy sources, and cannot be restarted until maintenance or servicing is complete. 

LOTO is critical in preventing unexpected startups or the release of stored energy, which can cause serious harm to workers. 

The importance of LOTO is particularly evident in the industrial and manufacturing sectors, where workers often interact with heavy machinery and complex systems.

Definition of LOTO

Lockout/Tagout procedures involve two primary actions: lockout and tagout.

  1. Lockout: The physical placement of a lock on an energy-isolating device, such as a circuit breaker, valve, or switch, to ensure it remains in a safe, off position.
  2. Tagout: Using a tag or label attached to the energy-isolating device to communicate that the equipment is out of service and must not be used.

These procedures cover all potential energy sources, including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and chemical energy. Proper implementation of LOTO ensures that maintenance personnel are protected while performing their tasks.

CCOHS Regulations

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) provides guidelines and regulations for Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures under Canada's occupational health and safety laws. 

These regulations aim to protect workers from hazards associated with the unintended release of energy during equipment servicing or maintenance. Below is an overview of key aspects of LOTO regulations as guided by the CCOHS:

While the CCOHS provides national guidance, specific LOTO requirements may vary by province or territory. For example:

  1. Ontario: Covered under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), with LOTO provisions in Regulation 851 for industrial establishments.
  2. Alberta: Outlined in Part 15 of the Alberta OHS Code.
  3. British Columbia: Specified in Part 10 of the WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation.

OSHA Regulations

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established specific standards for LOTO under 29 CFR 1910.147, requiring employers to develop and enforce energy control programs. 

These standards mandate employee training, regular audits, and detailed procedures for isolating and securing energy sources.

Despite its importance, LOTO consistently ranks among OSHA's top ten most-cited violations. In 2022, OSHA reported over 2,900 LOTO violations, often related to inadequate training or incomplete procedures. Non-compliance risks employees and exposes businesses to hefty fines and legal consequences.

By adhering to LOTO standards, organizations can significantly reduce workplace accidents, ensure the safety of their employees, and maintain compliance with legal requirements.

What are Authorized and Affected Employees

Regarding Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, it is essential to understand the roles of different employees involved in or impacted by these safety practices. 

The difference between authorized and affected employees helps to ensure that the right individuals are equipped with the necessary knowledge and responsibilities to prevent accidents and maintain a safe work environment. 

Understanding these roles is crucial for safety compliance and the effective implementation of LOTO procedures in the workplace.

Authorized Employees

Authorized employees have received proper LOTO training and can perform LOTO procedures. These employees ensure that machines or equipment are safely locked out and tagged during maintenance or servicing activities. 

Their primary role is to isolate hazardous energy sources, ensuring that equipment cannot be accidentally started or released during work.

Responsibilities

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  1. Perform Lockout/Tagout Procedures: Authorized employees are responsible for physically locking out and tagging out machinery or equipment before any maintenance or servicing occurs.
  2. Conduct Periodic Inspections: They must regularly inspect LOTO procedures to ensure compliance and that they are followed correctly.
  3. Recognize Hazardous Energy Sources: Authorized employees must be trained to identify all hazardous energy sources, such as electrical, mechanical, or chemical energy, to take appropriate actions.
  4. Maintain Knowledge of Energy Control Procedures: It's Authorized employees must stay up-to-date with the latest energy control procedures, safety protocols, and equipment-specific guidelines.

Affected Employees

Affected employees are individuals who operate or use the machines or equipment that are subject to LOTO procedures. 

These employees might not be involved in the lockout/tagout process but are still impacted by it since they interact with the equipment or work in areas where LOTO procedures are being performed. They play a crucial role in understanding the LOTO procedures to ensure their own safety.

Responsibilities

  1. Understand the Purpose and Use of Energy Control Procedures: Affected employees must be trained to understand why LOTO procedures are necessary and how they protect workers from hazardous energy.
  2. Stay Informed About When LOTO Procedures Are Being Implemented: Affected employees should be notified when LOTO procedures are in place to know which equipment is being serviced and avoid interacting with it during the process. This ensures they don't unknowingly place themselves in harm's way.

By clearly defining these roles and responsibilities, companies can reduce the risks of workplace injuries and improve compliance with LOTO regulations, ensuring a safer environment for all employees.

Key Differences Between Authorized and Affected Employees

Understanding the distinction between authorized and affected employees is fundamental to successfully implementing Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures. 

These two groups of employees have different roles and responsibilities, reflected in the training level and the nature of their involvement in the LOTO process. 

Clarifying these differences ensures proper safety measures, compliance with regulations, and prevention of workplace accidents.

Training Requirements

Authorized Employees

Authorized employees undergo comprehensive and specialized training to equip them with the knowledge and skills to carry out LOTO procedures safely. This training includes:

  1. Identify hazardous energy sources (e.g., electrical, mechanical, chemical).
  2. Understanding and overcoming LOTO challenges.
  3. Step-by-step guidance on locking out and tagging out machinery.
  4. Instructions for verifying the isolation of energy sources before servicing begins.
  5. Periodic refresher courses to ensure familiarity with updated protocols and regulations.

The nature of this training reflects their direct involvement in controlling hazardous energy during servicing and maintenance activities.

Affected Employees

In contrast, affected employees receive training focusing on awareness rather than execution. Their training covers:

  1. Understanding the purpose and importance of LOTO procedures.
  2. Recognizing when LOTO procedures are in effect.
  3. Learning to avoid engaging with machinery or equipment under LOTO.

This training ensures they are informed about potential hazards without requiring the technical expertise of authorized employees.

Scope of Work

Authorized Employees

Authorized employees have a hands-on role in performing LOTO procedures. Their scope of work includes:

  1. Isolating hazardous energy sources by applying locks and tags.
  2. Conducting maintenance or servicing tasks while ensuring equipment remains in a de-energized state.
  3. Inspecting and verifying LOTO devices before removing them and restoring energy.

Their work directly involves interacting with potentially dangerous equipment, making their role critical in preventing accidents.

Affected Employees

Affected employees, while not directly performing LOTO procedures, have an equally important role in maintaining safety. Their scope of work includes:

  1. Operating or using machinery during normal working conditions.
  2. Staying clear of equipment under LOTO to avoid accidental interactions.
  3. Reporting any observed safety concerns to supervisors or authorized employees.

While their involvement is less technical, their awareness and cooperation are vital for the effectiveness of LOTO protocols.

By distinguishing the training requirements and scope of work for authorized and affected employees, organizations can ensure that each group understands its responsibilities. This separation of roles reduces risks, promotes compliance with safety standards, and promotes a workplace safety culture.

Identifying Authorized Employees

Recognizing authorized employees within an organization is critical to implementing Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures properly. These employees play a hands-on role in controlling hazardous energy during equipment servicing or maintenance. 

Identifying them involves meeting specific criteria and providing comprehensive training to ensure they can safely and effectively perform LOTO tasks. 

This process enhances workplace safety and ensures compliance with safety regulations.

Criteria for Authorization

Authorized employees are individuals trained and designated to perform LOTO procedures. They isolate hazardous energy sources and ensure equipment remains de-energized during maintenance or servicing.

Key Criteria

To qualify as an authorized employee, individuals must meet the following:

  1. Complete Specific Training: The employee must undergo formal LOTO training covering identifying, isolating, and deactivating hazardous energy sources.
  2. Understand Energy Control Procedures: They must be well-versed in the company's specific energy control plans and procedures.
  3. Ability to Recognize Hazardous Energy Sources: Employees must identify all potential energy sources, including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and chemical.
  4. Demonstrated Competence: The employee should show proficiency in applying, verifying, and removing lockout/tagout devices correctly and safely.
  5. Accountability: They must ensure the equipment remains de-energized until servicing is complete.

This rigorous selection process ensures that only qualified individuals handle tasks involving hazardous energy.

Training Programs

Proper training equips authorized employees with the knowledge and skills to perform LOTO procedures safely. Comprehensive training programs are essential to minimize risks associated with hazardous energy and maintain compliance with safety standards.

Key Components of LOTO Training Programs

  1. Understanding Hazardous Energy: Training includes identifying various energy types (e.g., electrical, mechanical, hydraulic) and their risks.
  2. Energy Control Procedures: Employees learn step-by-step procedures to isolate, lockout, and tag out energy sources effectively.
  3. Device Usage: Instruction on selecting and applying appropriate LOTO devices, such as padlocks, tags, and valve covers.
  4. Verification Process: Training covers verifying that energy sources are fully isolated and de-energized before maintenance begins.
  5. Emergency Procedures: Employees learn to handle unexpected events, such as device failures or unauthorized re-energization attempts.

Certification and Refresher Training

Organizations should provide certification to employees who complete the training. Periodic refresher courses update employees on best practices, regulatory changes, and new equipment or procedures.

Organizations can confidently identify authorized employees by setting clear authorization criteria and offering robust training programs. 

These steps ensure that only qualified individuals perform LOTO procedures, reducing the risk of workplace injuries and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Identifying Affected Employees

Affected employees play a crucial role in Lockout/tagout (LOTO) safety, even though they do not directly implement LOTO procedures. These individuals interact with machines and equipment that may be serviced or maintained under LOTO protocols. 

Correctly identifying affected employees and providing them with awareness training ensures they understand their responsibilities, recognize potential hazards, and comply with safety protocols. 

This approach is essential for maintaining a safe workplace and reducing the risk of accidents.

Criteria for Affected Status

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Affected employees operate or use machinery or equipment that will be serviced under LOTO or work in areas where LOTO procedures are performed. 

While they are not responsible for isolating hazardous energy sources, their actions can directly impact the safety of the LOTO process.

Key Criteria for Affected Status

  1. Interaction with Machines or Equipment: Employees who use machinery that may be serviced or maintained under LOTO protocols.
  2. Proximity to LOTO Operations: Workers present in areas where LOTO is being implemented are considered affected employees.
  3. Potential for Exposure: Individuals who could come into contact with machines or equipment during the LOTO process.

Awareness Training

While affected employees do not perform LOTO procedures, awareness training ensures they understand the significance of these protocols and their role in maintaining workplace safety.

Without proper training, affected employees might unintentionally compromise safety measures, putting themselves and others at risk.

Key Components of Awareness Training

  1. Introduction to LOTO: This training provides a basic understanding of LOTO and why it is necessary for workplace safety.
  2. Recognizing LOTO Devices: Employees learn to identify locks, tags, and other indicators used during the LOTO process.
  3. Understanding Their Role: The training clarifies affected employees' responsibilities, such as staying clear of equipment under maintenance.
  4. Communicating with Authorized Employees: Affected employees are trained to report any concerns or observations about LOTO procedures to authorized personnel.
  5. Avoiding Hazards: Instruction on recognizing and avoiding potential hazards related to equipment undergoing maintenance.

Organizations can prevent accidents and create a safety culture by identifying affected employees and equipping them with the necessary knowledge through awareness training. 

This proactive approach ensures that everyone contributes to a secure workplace environment regardless of their role.

How to Implement Effective LOTO Programs

An effective Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) program protects employees from hazardous energy during equipment servicing and maintenance. 

A comprehensive LOTO program ensures compliance with workplace safety regulations and promotes a culture of accountability and awareness. 

Key components of such a program include designating employee roles and maintaining ongoing training to keep all personnel informed and prepared.

Designating Employees

Organizations must identify and assign roles to authorized and affected employees to implement an effective LOTO program. Proper designation ensures all personnel understand their responsibilities, minimizing confusion and enhancing workplace safety.

Steps for Designating Employees

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  1. Assess Workforce Roles: Review job descriptions and daily tasks to determine who interacts with machinery and energy sources.
  2. Define Authorized Employees: Assign employees responsible for locking out/tagging out equipment during maintenance. These individuals must have the necessary training and technical knowledge.
  3. Identify Affected Employees: Recognize those who operate machinery or work in areas where LOTO procedures occur, ensuring they understand how to stay safe during these processes.
  4. Maintain Documentation: Keep detailed records of designated employees and their respective roles to ensure accountability and compliance.

Clearly defined roles help streamline the implementation of LOTO procedures, reduce the likelihood of errors, and create a sense of responsibility among employees.

Ongoing Training and Retraining

LOTO procedures evolve as organizations introduce new equipment, update protocols, or reassign job roles. Continuous training ensures that all employees remain informed and compliant, even as workplace dynamics change.

Key Components of Ongoing Training

Initial Training: Provide comprehensive LOTO training to new hires, covering both authorized and affected employee responsibilities.

Retraining Requirements: Conduct retraining whenever there are:

  1. Changes in job assignments involving different machinery.
  2. New equipment was introduced that requires updated LOTO procedures.

Observations of non-compliance or knowledge gaps during inspections.

  1. Refresher Courses: Schedule periodic refresher sessions to reinforce best practices and ensure all employees remain proficient in LOTO protocols.
  2. Scenario-Based Drills: Include practical exercises to simulate real-world LOTO scenarios, helping employees apply their knowledge effectively.

Documentation of Training

Maintain records of all training sessions, including attendance, topics covered, and test results, to demonstrate compliance and support continuous improvement efforts.

Benefits of Ongoing Training

Regularly updated training reduces workplace accidents, improves employee confidence, and ensures compliance with safety standards. It also demonstrates an organization's commitment to protecting its workforce.

Organizations can implement LOTO programs that safeguard workers, enhance compliance, and create a proactive safety culture by designating employees effectively and prioritizing continuous training.

Conclusion

Identifying authorized and affected employees in lockout/tagout is essential for maintaining a safe and compliant work environment, especially when dealing with hazardous energy. 

Authorized employees are critical in isolating and controlling machinery during servicing or maintenance. 

In contrast, affected employees must understand their responsibilities and the importance of following Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures. This clear distinction ensures everyone knows their role, reducing confusion and enhancing workplace safety.

A well-implemented LOTO program prevents accidents and promotes a culture of accountability and vigilance. Organizations can significantly reduce risks associated with hazardous energy sources by designating employees appropriately and equipping them with the proper training.

Proper identification and training also ensure compliance with safety regulations, such as those outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

However, even the most robust LOTO program requires regular reviews and updates. Changes in equipment, processes, or job assignments may necessitate revisions to the program and employee retraining. 

Conducting periodic audits and encouraging open communication about safety practices help organizations stay proactive and address gaps before they become hazards.

Investing in clear role designation and ongoing training benefits employees and organizations, creating a safer workplace.