Importance of Lockout Tagout in Workplace
LOTO is a very serious safety
practice for every organization that aims to provide protection to its
employees. It is designed to help improve safety in a
facility. When implemented correctly, it can help to dramatically reduce the
risk that someone or something will be in danger when working in or around
machinery. Equipment and machinery identified for LOTO
are capable of unexpected start-ups, which may result in the release of
hazardous energy.
Can you imagine how dangerous
it would be to simply leave hazardous machines or equipment out on the
industrial work floor with just a verbal warning to employees not to use it?
Employees may forget or simply ignore warnings and become severely injured by
an unexpected outburst of hazardous energy.
This is why the lock and tag
are so crucial to employee and visitor safety. Remember, when it comes to
handling of machines or equipment while servicing, only specifically identified
employees such as engineers or electricians with proper maintenance training
and technical backgrounds are suitable to approach and provide possible
servicing.
Here are some of the
significant points that adds to the importance of Lockout Tagout. However,
these are not enough, the list goes on..
1.
Guards the employees and shop floor workers from severe accidents and
risk of hazards:
While servicing and maintenance, workers are the most
effected as they are exposed to danger at all times. Any act of negligence
leads to incidences. Lockout Tagout acts as life saving
devices, which when used properly, following the given LOTO procedures, it
protects the employees from the release of hazardous energies during servicing
or maintenance of machines or equipment.
2.
Assures an accident free workplace:
In other words, Safe Lockout Tagout protects the equipment,
machine and workplace from damage. It is very important to make sure that we
are living in a safe and accident free workplace and this can only be done if
we follow Lockout Tagout procedures carefully. It reduces incidences of injury,
and increases safety of machines, equipment, employees and workplaces.
3.
Demonstrates the concern of the top management towards the safety of its
employees:
Employees are the most important asset to any organization,
and their safety is the sole responsibility of the employer. i.e. the Top
Management. Most companies suffer fines and penalties because they fail to
protect their employees from accidents and factory mishaps. It is only because
they lack concern!
Implementation of proper lockout tagout procedure and a
successful LOTO system at workplace, depicts the unprecedented commitment of
the top management, towards its employees.
4.
It builds trust and a sense of confidence in the eyes of the employees:
When employees work in a risk- free environment, they work self-assuredly. Building a culture of safety enables every employee to reach home safely, work with confidence and a sense of security.
5.
Periodic
Trainings and audits help employees in safe isolation:
Training is
the key mechanism of communicating with the employees of what is expected of
them. Proper training is a basic necessity for every employee working on
machine to ensure the continued proficiency of employees in following safe work
practices and the proper isolation of hazardous energies. For a successful
Lockout Tagout program to be implemented, it is essential that the
employees acquire and retain the necessary knowledge and skills required.
6.
Helps in meeting the LOTO Compliance
Workers servicing or maintaining machines or equipment
may be seriously injured or killed if hazardous energy is not properly
controlled. Injuries resulting from the failure to control hazardous energy
during maintenance activities can be serious or even fatal! Injuries may
include electrocution, burns, crushing, cutting, lacerating, amputating, or
fractures in body etc. This can not only cost a company, loss of employee, but
also its reputation and financial stability.
Staying in compliance with the OSHA
Lockout Tagout standards, protects companies and establishments from regulatory
fines and serious consequences that occur due to negligence. The legal
formalities laid by OSHA under 29 CRF. 1910.147 must be taken care of.
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