In this article Alex takes a look at the myths around Lockout Tagout. Alex is the Safety Development Manager at Spectrum Industrial and has many years experience within the field of Lockout Tagout, undertaking training and educating employees working within the industrial sector to better and safer working processes.

Author: Alex Baker

Lockout Tagout is a growing industry and is still known as the best possible practice for safeguarding operatives against hazardous energy risks, in a wide range of affected industries across the world. Awareness is increasing but still has a long way to go. Many misconceptions still circulate on Lockout Tagout products and methodology to this day.
We have collated and highlighted some of the biggest myths we come across to squash any concerns individuals may have around them.
 

1. LOTO is Expensive
   Lockout tagout equipment in itself, is an affordable commodity.
   However, the cost for the equipment shouldn’t be the measure. The most beneficial offering LOTO equipment, process and procedures give, is the improvement of safety. Done right it’s the best possibly application in helping save somebody’s life when operating tasks on/near high risk machinery and power sources. There isn’t anything more costly than a loss of a life for an operative, a contractor and loved one alike.
   A proactive approach to establish the correct set up can save the company in unexpected downtime, fines & more. The alternative, is to wait until something happens and then reactively implement an energy control programme. Not to mention that the former can proactively save a life.
    
2. Tasks with Risk can be Managed without LOTO
   Nobody likes change. Highly experienced employees have habits which span their career, when they started out the LOTO awareness, quality and understanding of isolation was worlds apart from where it is now. However, belief systems and their culture hasn’t changed with the times causing a ripple effect.
   If they have never been injured or have always done it one way, this can mean an overconfident approach to isolations. Often, apprentices working alongside will learn these bad habits, causing an inevitable accident.
   Continuous training for new and existing employees is paramount to keep safety the priority.
    
3. LOTO is Time Consuming
   Short Cuts, May Cut a Life Short.
   A well written and implemented energy control programme is an efficient way of implementing LOTO effectively, in a timely manner and is still the safest practice for operatives on task.
   The lack of understanding, practical awareness and ignorance can often mean short cuts are taken. This is where accidents happen and can be catastrophic to the operatives, families and establishments involved.
   Availability of equipment also plays it’s part here. Having close by, appropriate equipment naturally improves the usage of LOTO.
    
4. Electrical or Mechanical Isolations?
   In short and where appropriate, both! On paper, electrical accidents, fatalities and near misses are the highest cause of incident. However, this doesn’t mean that mechanical isolations should be taken lightly. All isolations are just as important as the next. ANY source of energy should be isolated, relieved of residual and controlled.
    
5. Any Equipment Will Do
   Often, the lack of knowledge can mask the approach to purchasing equipment. However, most will do this and then only have 10% of what they purchase in use as it’s simply not effective to their machinery and processes.
   Ensuring that a specific equipment set up is on plant and located effectively, hugely increases the chance of use and massively reduces the chance of accidents.
    
6. Old machines & Panels Cannot be Isolated
   This is incorrect. Over the last 5 or so years. Development in equipment quality and range of application has massively improved. The myth that old machines and panels cannot be isolated, may at one time had an element of truth to it. However, manufacturers have actively developed products to suit these hard to isolate points.
   Meaning almost every machine in use, new or old has the ability to be isolated. Advice from an expert on how is recommended at times to ensure the right product is specified.
    
7. LOTO Means Equipment Only
   If an accident occurs when LOTO is applied, the reason is because the process and procedure is lacking. Without the correct energy control programme for each machine and power source can unravel very quickly causing accidents.
   
   A process and procedure are just as important as the equipment used, they work in harmony and used correctly is the best method of control hazardous energy across all high-risk industries.
    

Thought of the day
Lockout Tagout is not an optional activity!