| LOCKOUT / TAGOUT SAVES LIVES AND
REDUCES COSTS! |
--Approximately 10% of all industrial accidents are
caused by failure to properly control hazardous energy. According to OSHA, this
leads to 250,000 incidents, resulting in 50,000 injuries and over 100
fatalities every year.
--Studies have shown that energy control programs can
reduce injury rates by 25 to 50 percent! |
| OSHA is Citing LO/TO Violators |
| --Due to the serious risk that hazardous energy poses
to employees, OSHA is stepping up inspections and citations. In fact, the
Lockout/Tagout standard has become the #1 most cited OSHA regulation for
manufacturers. |
| WHAT OSHA LOOKS FOR |
Common LO/TO violations include:
--Failure to
establish a written energy control program
--Failure to develop
machine-specific lockout procedures
--Failure to properly train
employees
--Failure to conduct periodic audits
--Failure to provide or
utilize the proper lockout devices |
| The Cost of Non-Compliance |
--OSHA fines can run from several hundred to several
hundred thousand dollars
--On average, non-fatal industrial accidents cost
employers over $30,000 in direct and indirect medical expenses. In the event of
a fatality, costs can jump to over $1 million!
--Penalties from civil
lawsuits can also easily run into the millions of dollars!
--Not just people
get hurt – unexpected startup can also damage equipment and machinery,
requiring expensive repairs and prolonged downtime that reduces
productivity
--Many insurance companies offer reduced premiums to employers
who demonstrate that they have an effective LO/TO program – a welcome
savings in light of skyrocketing insurance costs! |
| LO/TO Regulations &
Standards |
--Federal LO/TO requirements for general industry are
covered in 29 CFR 1910.147, The Control Of Hazardous Energy
(Lockout/Tagout)
--Work on electrical circuits and components is covered
under 29 CFR 1910, Subpart S, Selection & Use of Electrical Work
Practices.
--Some equipment-specific OSHA standards (eg, for cranes,
derricks, etc.) also have their own LO/TO requirements.
--In 2003, the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) updated its standard Z244.1
Control of Hazardous Energy - Lockout/Tagout & Alternative Methods. ANSI
standards are voluntary consensus standards, but often form the basis of new or
revised OSHA regulations.
--For more information on the OSHA standards, go
to www.osha.gov.
--For information on ANSI Z244.1 go to www.ansi.org. |
