What is the primary purpose of the Lock Out Tag Out safety procedure?

What is the primary purpose of the Lock Out Tag Out safety procedure?

• A. A safety procedure used to ensure equipment is not used during repair or maintenance
• B. A device that locks tools away
• C. A method for labeling finished welds
• D. A procedure for calibrating welding machines

Answer: (A)

Lock Out Tag Out is about preventing unexpected startup or release of stored energy when maintenance or repair work is done on equipment. The main goal is to make sure the machine cannot be energized or moved while someone is working on it, protecting workers from electric shock, sudden machine startup, or stored energy hazards. In practice, you isolate all energy sources—electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc.—apply a lock to keep the energy from being reenergized, and attach a tag to warn others not to operate the equipment. This isn’t about locking tools away, labeling finished welds, or calibrating welding machines, which are separate tasks.

Lock Out Tag Out is about preventing unexpected startup or release of stored energy when maintenance or repair work is done on equipment. The main goal is to make sure the machine cannot be energized or moved while someone is working on it, protecting workers from electric shock, sudden machine startup, or stored energy hazards. In practice, you isolate all energy sources—electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc.—apply a lock to keep the energy from being reenergized, and attach a tag to warn others not to operate the equipment. This isn’t about locking tools away, labeling finished welds, or calibrating welding machines, which are separate tasks.