Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) safety is an essential safety protocol used in industrial environments to protect workers from hazardous energy during maintenance or repair activities. By preventing the accidental release of energy, LOTO procedures ensure that machinery and equipment cannot be activated while employees are working on them. These procedures are not just good practices; they are a legal requirement in many jurisdictions under workplace safety regulations, such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) in the United States.
What is LOTO Safety? LOTO stands for “Lockout” and “Tagout.” It refers to the process of controlling hazardous energy during the servicing or maintenance of machines and equipment. When equipment is being serviced, it must be properly shut down and all energy sources isolated. Workers then apply locks and tags to energy-isolating devices to ensure that others cannot accidentally start the equipment while work is ongoing. LOTO safety is crucial in workplaces where machines and equipment pose significant risks of injury due to their unexpected startup or release of stored energy, such as electricity, mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic energy.