Lockout/Tagout Program Definitions
Affected employee: An employee who is required to use machines or equipment on which servicing is performed under the Lockout/Tagout standard, or who performs other job responsibilities in an area where such servicing is performed.
Authorized employee: An employee who locks or tags machines, equipment, or systems in order to perform servicing or maintenance activities.
Energized: Connected to an energy source or containing residual or stored energy.
Energy isolating device: A mechanical device that physically prevents the transmission or release of energy such as manually operated electrical circuit breaker; a disconnect switch; a manually operated switch by which the conductors of a circuit can be disconnected from all ungrounded supply conductors, and, in addition, no pole can be operated independently; a line valve; a block; and any similar device used to block or isolate energy. Push buttons, selector switches, and other devices that operate solely on a control circuit are not energy isolating devices.
Energy source: Any source of energy that could cause injury. This includes energies such as electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or gravity where the energy source(s) could cause injury through the motion or operation of machinery or equipment. This also includes energies where injury may be caused by the direct transfer of the energy to the person such as electrical, pressure energies (e.g. hydraulic or pneumatic above 12 pounds per square inch), chemical, or thermal.
Lockable: When an energy isolating device has a hasp or other means of attachment to or through which a lock can be affixed or has an individually keyed locking mechanism built into it. Other energy isolating devices are capable of being locked out if it can be achieved without the need to dismantle, rebuild, or replace the energy-isolating device or permanently alter its energy control capability (e.g. with the use of a lockout device).
Lockout: The placement of a lock and, if necessary, a lockout device on an energy-isolating device in accordance with the General Lockout Procedure ensuring that the energy isolating device and the equipment being controlled cannot be operated until the lock and lockout device are removed.
Lockout sevice: A device such as chains, gang locks, valve protectors, self-locking fasteners, or blanks that utilizes a positive means to hold an energy isolation device in a safe position and prevent the energizing of a machine or equipment.
Normal production operations: The utilization of a machine or equipment to perform its intended production function.
Servicing and/or maintenance: Workplace activities such as constructing, installing, setting up, adjusting, inspecting, modifying, troubleshooting, and maintaining and/or servicing machinery or equipment. These activities include lubrication, cleaning or unjamming of machines or equipment, and making adjustments or tool changes where the employee may be exposed to the unexpected energization or startup of the equipment or release of hazardous energy.