Lockout and tagout procedures (LOTO) are implemented to protect employees during the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment where unexpected energization, startup or release of stored energy could harm employees. These procedures can be crucial for preventing what are often serious or even fatal injuries.

Although there is no LOTO standard specifically for construction, OSHA provides universal construction precautions addressing hazardous activity control. This guidance can be summarized as follows: if deactivating a control that governs the delivery of electrical power to equipment or circuits is necessary for work, then that control must be tagged. The tag alerts others that the control is deactivated and the equipment is temporarily out of service.

Before initiating any maintenance or servicing work, conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify which machines or equipment specifically require LOTO procedures, ensuring a targeted and effective approach to workplace safety.

The FCA Safety Manual includes a LOTO program, and the Toolbox Talk program has LOTO resources available. Both are available to FCA members, and the safety manual can be implemented as is or used as a referential resource. As your company is developing or updating its LOTO procedures, consider the seven key steps for safely performing work that requires them:

  1. Identify the Procedure to Use – select the correct LOTO procedure (as determined by a thorough risk assessment) for the equipment. Make sure there are proper energy control devices and other lockout devices.
  2. Prepare for the Equipment Shutdown – identify which equipment needs to be shut off, what switches to pull and what orders to follow.
  3. Notify Affected Employees – communicate to all affected, authorized personnel that your LOTO procedure is about to begin.
  4. Equipment Shutdown – shutdown the equipment safely and carefully.
  5. Add Individual Locks – secure individual locks for all equipment that needs it and add appropriate tags. Locking out all power sources ensures worker safety.
  6. Check Stored Energy – ensure all machines are disabled to prevent the release of stored, residual energy that can harm employees.
  7. Verify Isolation – before starting work again with machines that have been locked out or tagged out, verify each piece of equipment’s energy isolation and de-energization.

Template LOTO Program and Toolbox Talk for Signatory Contractors

The FCA Safety Manual includes a lockout/tagout program and is available to all FCA members as part of their FCA membership.