By: Steve Sayer
Doing the LOTO motion
(The views and opinions expressed in this blog are strictly those of the author.)
The Department of Labors (DOL) website highlights the importance of the wide, wide world of lock out/tag out (LOTO). It states the following:
“Approximately 3 million workers service equipment and face the greatest risk of injury if lockout/tagout is not properly implemented. Compliance with the lockout/tagout standard 29 CFR 1910.147 prevents an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries each year. Workers injured on the job from exposure to hazardous energy lose an average of 24 workdays for recuperation. In a study conducted by the United Auto Workers (UAW), 20% of the fatalities (83 of 414) that occurred among their members between 1973 and 1995 were attributed to inadequate hazardous energy control procedures specifically, lockout/tagout procedures.”
Though I’ve never worked or witnessed the production lines for Chrysler, Ford or Chevy, I have participated with implementing LOTO procedures for slaughter, fabrication, further processing, and grinding operations. The diverse equipment, machinery and chemicals that are utilized in our industry, if not properly LOTO during scheduled or unscheduled down-time can lead to severe injuries and deaths that would remind one of Vincent Price and Upton Sinclair – simultaneously.
There continues to be too many preventable injuries and deaths in our industry due to LOTO not being properly and consistently executed and honored. Broadly, LOTO procedures are to be used when the servicing, cleaning, and maintenance of machines, equipment, and buildings are being conducted; including any combination of circumstances of unintended activation of electrical, mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic sources.
A doctrinaire and unwavering management commitment supporting LOTO, including sound communication being executed between all involved personnel is the name of the game here. An extensive and customized written standard operating procedure (SOP) that accurately reflects the building and its unique machinery, equipment, and chemicals is needed that is supplemented by heaps of documented training and assigned responsibility and accountability. The LOTO SOP procedures must apply to all affected personnel, including outside contractors who could be exposed to hazards brought on by the unintentional release of stored energy.
When time permits, tap into YouTube that features an eclectic selection of LOTO videos that can be used as training aids as well as a source of information that can complement your existing LOTO program.
Does your USDA inspector enforce the LOTO motion during pre-operational inspection? What LOTO experiences have you witnessed? I’d like to hear from you.
meatingplace.com
October 28, 2010
