AWS Certified Welding Inspector — FundamentalsSafetyMedium
A welding inspector is overseeing a maintenance task where a welder needs to work on a large, stationary piece of equipment that is electrically powered. To prevent accidental startup during welding, what is the MOST appropriate safety procedure that must be implemented?
- AAssigning a dedicated person to monitor the equipment's controls.
- BImplementing a Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedure for the equipment's energy source.
- CPlacing 'Do Not Operate' tags on the equipment's controls.
- DDisconnecting the power cord from the equipment's outlet.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Implementing a Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedure for the equipment's energy source.
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) is the most comprehensive and legally mandated procedure for de-energizing equipment and preventing accidental startup during maintenance or service. It ensures the energy source is isolated and locked, making accidental re-energization virtually impossible.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Monitoring is a administrative control and relies on human vigilance, which is less reliable than positive energy isolation.
- C. Tags alone are warnings and can be ignored or accidentally removed, not providing positive isolation.
- D. Disconnecting a power cord is a good step but does not guarantee the circuit cannot be re-energized, especially for hard-wired equipment or if the plug is accessible for re-insertion.
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
A safety procedure used to ensure that dangerous machines are properly shut off and not able to be started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or service work.
- Physically isolates energy sources.
- Prevents accidental startup.
- Mandated by OSHA for hazardous energy control.
Memory trick: Lock it out, tag it tight, keep the power from seeing the light.