A. Other Hazards Applicable: Residual energy should not be overlooked. Locking out a switch or turning off the power does not guarantee safety. Trapped air, gas or chemicals, coiled springs, blocked or raised loads, and elevated machine parts must be bled, released or blocked.
B. Removal Of Device: The person who applies the lock must be the only one who removes it. No lockout/tagout device may be removed or cut by a person other than the one who originally installed the device, unless removal is authorized by the appropriate supervisor. The appropriate supervisor shall be the immediate supervisor of the employee who placed the lock and performed, or is performing, the designated work.
C. Safety Check: Before equipment restart, a thorough safety check must be performed. Survey the scene to make sure that all employees are at a safe distance. Verify the reinstallation of all safeguards to ensure that no tools or obstructions have been left inside the equipment. Double check all switches, valves and controls to ensure that they are in the "off" position. In addition, all necessary personal protective equipment must be worn (hard hat, goggles, etc.).
D. Outgoing, Incoming Employees: To ensure continuity of lockout/tagout protection during shift or personnel changes, an authorized employee will oversee the removal of all outgoing employee's lockout or tagout devices and the application of all oncoming employee's lockout or tagout devices.
E. When Tagout Provides Same Degree Of Protection: Under this chapter, when a device can be locked out, it must be locked out. The only exception to this is if it can be demonstrated that tagout provides the same degree of employee protection as lockout. Under such conditions, tagout may be used.
F. Equipment Repairs: Under this chapter one may use both lockout and tagout when performing repairs on equipment. The tag should describe why the equipment is locked out, how long it will be locked out, and who locked it out. If there is any doubt, contact your supervisor or safety consultant. If tagout is used, it must be noted that there are limitations to tagouts. They do not provide a physical restraint, and are only warning devices. Unless their meaning is clearly understood, tags may provoke a false sense of security.
G. Disciplinary Action: Employees may not remove, bypass or ignore tags without proper authorization. Failure to comply with this may result in disciplinary action. Tags must be legible and readily understood. Both tags and their means of attachment must withstand hostile environmental conditions and be securely attached. (2019 Compilation)