Culture of Caring: Lockout/Tagout/Tryout Safety
By Christopher D. Antoni, P.E., P.Eng.
Senior Vice President of Technical Services, Allied Resources Group (ARG)
At Allied Resources Group, our “Culture of Caring” is about more than talking about safety. It is about making it a daily habit. Every decision on a job site, in a facility, or during maintenance work comes down to protecting people first. One area where that commitment matters most is controlling hazardous energy through Lockout/Tagout/Tryout (LOTO) procedures.
Many workers have been seriously harmed by machinery or electrical equipment because energy sources were not fully isolated before maintenance began. Sometimes these incidents happen when another person restarts equipment, unaware that someone is working on it. These situations are preventable when LOTO is performed correctly and consistently.
The Purpose of Lockout/Tagout/Tryout
LOTO is designed to:
- Protect the person performing the work
- Protect others in the area
- Protect the equipment itself
- Clearly communicate that maintenance is in progress
When LOTO Is Required
Lockout/Tagout must be used whenever:
- Servicing, maintaining, or inspecting equipment where the unexpected release of hazardous energy could occur
- Machine guards are removed or bypassed
- Any part of the body is placed into the point of operation
Locking Out
Lockout means more than flipping a switch. It ensures that all forms of energy, such as electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic, are shut down, released, or blocked. Locks must be standardized and consistent in appearance, color, and type. Lockout must always be performed by authorized and trained employees, and their name must appear on the lock and tag.
Tagging Out
Tagout involves placing a warning tag on an energy-isolating device to indicate that the equipment cannot be operated. Tags do not provide physical restraint, so they must be used carefully and only when equivalent protection is ensured.
Trying Out
After locking and tagging out, always attempt to start the machine. This “tryout” confirms that the energy has been fully isolated and serves as the final safety check before work begins.
Standard Lockout Steps
- Notify affected employees of the upcoming lockout
- Identify energy sources and hazards
- Shut down the equipment
- Isolate all energy sources
- Lockout controls in the “off” position
- Release any stored energy
- Verify isolation by attempting to restart and returning controls to “off”
Common Causes of Lockout-Related Accidents
- Incomplete shutdown before maintenance
- Equipment accidentally restarted by others
- Known malfunctions left unaddressed
- Unblocked moving parts
- Inadequate or misunderstood safety procedures
Prevent Accidental Injury
- Identify all potential energy sources
- Control and verify energy release before working
- Never reach into moving equipment
- Always test to confirm isolation
- Stay aware of your own safety and that of others. Even “quick fixes” require full compliance with LOTO procedures
Final Thoughts
Safety does not just protect us. It protects the people who count on us. Lockout/Tagout/Tryout procedures may seem routine, but they represent one of the most important safeguards we have. By slowing down, verifying isolation, and communicating clearly, we create a safer workplace for everyone.
Christopher D. Antoni, P.E., P.Eng. Senior Vice President of Technical Services, ARG