OSHA 10-Hour Construction ReviewFocus Four HazardsHard
A worker is performing maintenance on a large industrial mixer. To prevent accidental startup during the maintenance, the worker has followed proper lockout/tagout procedures. Which of the following is the final and most critical step in verifying the lockout/tagout procedure before beginning work?
- APlacing a 'DO NOT OPERATE' tag on the mixer's control panel.
- BAttempting to operate the mixer's controls to ensure it will not start.
- CVisually inspecting all energy isolating devices for proper placement of locks.
- DNotifying all affected employees that the mixer is locked out.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Attempting to operate the mixer's controls to ensure it will not start.
The final and most critical step in verifying lockout/tagout is to attempt to operate the machine's normal starting controls. This 'try-out' ensures that all energy sources are indeed isolated and that the machine cannot be accidentally started.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Placing a tag is an important step but not the final verification that energy is isolated.
- C. Visual inspection is necessary but doesn't confirm the energy isolation by trying the controls.
- D. Notifying employees is an important communication step, but it doesn't verify the energy isolation itself.
Lockout/Tagout Verification
The final and most critical step in a lockout/tagout procedure is to attempt to operate the equipment's normal starting controls to verify that all energy sources are indeed isolated and cannot be accidentally re-energized.
- Confirms effectiveness of energy isolation.
- Prevents accidental startup or release of stored energy.
- Performed by the authorized employee.
Memory trick: Verifying's the key, before you're free.