| The employer's primary means of providing | | | | with a minimum unlocking strength of no less than 50 |
| protection to workers and meeting the requirements | | | | pounds. |
| of 29 CFR 1910.147 is an energy isolating device. This | | | | - The device for attaching the tag must have the |
| prevents the transmission or release of energy and | | | | general design and basic characteristics equivalent to |
| locks or tags are attached to it. An energy isolation | | | | a one piece nylon cable tie that will withstand all |
| device could be any of the following: | | | | environments and conditions. |
| - Circuit breaker | | | | - Tags must clearly identify the employees who |
| - Line valve | | | | applied them. |
| - Slide gate | | | | - Tags must clearly warn against hazardous conditions |
| - Disconnect switch | | | | if the machinery or equipment is energized. |
| These devices guard against the accidental startup or | | | | - Tags must contain a clear warning such as: |
| unexpected re-energization of machinery or | | | | - DO NOT START |
| equipment during servicing or maintenance. There are | | | | - DO NOT OPEN |
| two types of energy isolating devices: ones which | | | | - DO NOT CLOSE |
| can be locked and those that can't. | | | | - DO NOT OPERATE |
| Using Tagouts | | | | - DO NOT ENERGIZE |
| When a device can't be locked out, the employer | | | | Full Employee Protection |
| must use a tagout. When using a tagout, the | | | | If the energy-isolating device is lockable, the |
| employer must comply with all the provisions of the | | | | employer must lock it unless he can demonstrate |
| standard and train all employees. This training must | | | | that the use of tags would provide just as effective |
| include information on the limitations of tags: | | | | "full employee protection." This includes complying |
| - Tags are warning devices affixed to energy | | | | with all tagout provisions plus implementing additional |
| isolating devices and do not provide the physical | | | | safety measures that can provide a level of safety |
| restraint of a lock. | | | | to that obtained by using lockout. This could include: |
| - When a tag has been attached, it must not be | | | | - Removing and isolating a circuit element. |
| removed except by the person who applied it. | | | | - Blocking a controlling switch. |
| - A tag is never to be by-passed, ignored, or | | | | - Opening an extra disconnecting device. |
| defeated in some manner. | | | | - Removing a valve handle to reduce the potential |
| Requirements for Tags | | | | for any accidental re-energization while tags are |
| - Tags must be legible and easy to understand by | | | | attached. |
| employees. | | | | Replacing or Modifying Equipment, New Purchases - |
| - Tags and the means of attachment must be | | | | All Must Be Lockable |
| durable and able to withstand environmental | | | | OSHA recognizes that there are energy-isolating |
| conditions of the workplace. | | | | devices that can not be locked out. However, the |
| - Tags should be standardized according to color, | | | | standard clearly states that whenever major |
| shape or size. | | | | replacement, repairs, renovations, or modification of |
| - Print and format should be uniform. | | | | machines or equipment takes place, or when new |
| - Tags must be substantial enough to minimize early | | | | machinery or equipment is installed, the employer |
| or accidental removal. | | | | must ensure that the energy-isolating devices are |
| - Tags must be securely attached to the energy | | | | lockable. Modifying or purchasing these devices is |
| isolating device. | | | | most practical as part of the equipment replacement |
| - The means of attachment must be non-reusable, | | | | cycle. All newly purchased equipment must be |
| attachable by hand, self-locking and non-releasable, | | | | lockable. |