- Safety First -
LOCKOUT TO PREVENT INJURY
Energy must be locked out, blocked or released to ensure that machinery or equipment does not turn on or move during installation, repair or maintenance. In today’s industrialized workplace, equipment is frequently used to help manufacture products in a faster and more economical way. However, the use of equipment can also pose various risks to the employees operating or performing maintenance activities on them. Recently we have seen a number of workplace accidents involving equipment that was improperly or not locked out. These accidents have resulted in serious injuries and subsequently fines for the employer. In August 2012 an Ontario meat processor, was fined $70,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured. On February 3, 2011, a worker at the Toronto plant was cleaning a conveyor using a hose. The conveyor was guarded to prevent access to its moving parts. But, when the water pressure in the hose dropped, the worker lifted a guard to get better access to the conveyor with the hose. The worker believed lifting the interlocked guard would stop the conveyor from moving but an electrical switch malfunction stopped this from happening. When the worker put a hand on the still-moving conveyor, the worker's arm was pulled into its gears. The meat processor pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the machine was cleaned only when motion that may endanger a worker was stopped. ~ Source: Ministry of Labour www.ontario.ca/labour
It is important, as a plant operator, that you understand the hazards associated with the operation and maintenance of the equipment in your facility and the ways hazards can be controlled to minimize the risk to you or your employees. There are many types of potentially hazardous energy including, electrical, thermal, chemical, pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical and gravitational energy. All such forms of energy must be locked out, blocked or released to ensure that machinery or equipment does not turn on or move during installation, repair or maintenance. 10
BLOCKtalk - Fall 2012
"It is essential that your workplace has a Lockout Policy and Procedure, and that your supervisors and employees are trained to understand their responsibilities." What is Lockout? “Lockout” or “block out” means to physically neutralize all energies in a piece of equipment before beginning any maintenance or repair work. Lockouts generally involve: • stopping all energy flows (for example, by turning off switches, or valves on supply lines) • locking switches and valves • securing the machine, device, or power transmission line in a de-energized state (for example, by applying blocks or blanks, or by bleeding hydraulic or pneumatic pressure from lines) It is essential that your workplace has a Lockout Policy and Procedure, and that your supervisors and employees are trained to understand their responsibilities.
Your written lockout policy should make reference to your company’s general occupational health and safety policy and it should: • identify all activities and machines, equipment, and processes which require lockouts (for example, repairs, maintenance, and cleaning of pipelines, tanks, and machines) • make the appropriate persons responsible for lockouts • ensure that lockouts are performed by authorized persons only • develop procedures for each specific lockout situation • train those who will perform lockouts • verify the effectiveness of such training • review, update, and enforce the lockout policy Employers have a legal obligation to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of workers; and, supervisors and workers must take appropriate steps to identify and address all workplace hazards. Make sure that you protect your workers, your business and yourself. www.oimp.ca