Within the OSHA Lockout:Tagout regulation, 1910.147 is this prominent
paragraph: The
Definition of an Energy Isolating Device: A mechanical device that physically
prevents the transmission or release of energy, including but not limited to
the following: A manually operated electrical circuit breaker; a disconnect
switch; a manually operated switch by which the conductors of a circuit can be
disconnected from all ungrounded supply conductors and, in addition no pole can
be operated independently; a line valve; a block and any similar device used to
block or isolate energy. Push buttons, selector switches and other control
circuit type devices are not energy isolating devices. This has led to a myriad
of circuit breaker lockout solutions. Factories throughout the United States,
in fact the world, now have a variety of lockout solutions for their single
pole and multi-pole circuit breakers.
Often times electrical equipment being used in a factory operation may suddenly shut down. This may be due to an internal power malfunction, a local power plant problem, a sudden jam in a gear, just to name a few. When this type of unintentional shut down takes place, it is extremely important to insure that the equipment does not suddenly start up again. Such an event may catch employees by surprise and lead to a serious accident. The Sensing Saf-Start device automatically “opens” the circuit once there is a sudden power loss. The circuit will remain “open” as long as the equipment power switch is “on.” Once the power switch is turned “off”, the Sensing Saf-Start device will then close the circuit. At that point, with everyone aware that the equipment can now be safely restarted, the power switch can be turned “on” and normal operation resumed.
In September of 1989, The OSHA Lockout:Tagout Regulation CFR1910.147 went into effect. It clearly stated that equipment being serviced had to be completely shut down and had to be both "Locked Out" and "Tagged Out" (with the tag firmly attached to the lock) clearly identifying the person or persons involved in that servicing operation. Furthermore, to insure the tag could not inadvertently slip off, tear off or somehow be removed from the padlock, both the tag and the device used to attach it to the padlock had to be strong enough to "pull" 50 pounds. And thus, the LockWrap(R) Padlock Label was created. The LockWrap acts as a tag and is wrapped securely around the padlock and cannot be removed.
Section
(c) (5)(i) of Lockout Regulation CFR 1910.147 states that Locks, tags, chains,
wedges, key blocks, adapter pins, self-locking fasteners, or other hardware
shall be provided by the employer for isolating, securing or blocking of
machines or equipment from energy sources. Fuse holders and fuse panels are
types of energy systems that are difficult to lockout. In order to satisfy the
OSHA rule, devices have been devised that “blockout and “latchout” these energy
sources. These devices keeps the electrical energy systems “OPEN” with no way
for electrical energy to be reconnected. However, as there is no latch on these
devices, there not be a padlock to insure that these devices will not be
removed.
The OSHA Confined
Space Regulation, CFR1910.146 is designed to prevent accidents to employees
when working in a space where one has limited or restricted access for entry or
exit and while in that area might meet up with liquids, gases or obstacles.
Thus, a person entering a confined space must be fully trained in the hazards
to be faced and must wear the appropriate protective clothing. The area is also
constantly monitored for air quality. Before entering a confined space area,
one has to receive a “Confined Space Permit.” To help the process along, a
series of signs and tags have been created. They contain proper procedures to
follow, Caution and Danger announcements as well as directions for those both
entering the area or assisting in the operation.
A smoke-free workplace has many advantages. It reduces the amount of smoking by employees. It
also protects others from the dangers of second-hand smoke. Furthermore,
for the employer, it significantly reduces health care costs. People exposed to
smoke in the workplace are 17% more likely to develop lung cancer.
OSHA does
not have any regulations that apply directly to smoking in the workplace.
However OSHA does have standards which limit the exposure levels of a number of
chemicals. And many of the chemicals are found in tobacco smoke. They include but are not limited to limits on carbon
monoxide, nicotine, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, nitric oxide, formaldehyde and
arsenic. So essentially these require that is no smoking or very limited smoking take
place in the workplace. In addition, employers do have a legal right to both
restrict and also prohibit completely the use of tobacco. In some cases, of course, especially when flammable materials or hazardous machinery is present, it is imperative that smoking be prohibited.
To ensure regulations are followed and
workplace safety improved, a number of workplace signs have been created.
For example where chemicals are used the following
essential signs should be posted: DANGER, OXYGEN, NO SMOKING, NO OPEN FLAMES; DANGER,
BENZENE, CANCER HAZARD, FLAMMABLE – NO SMOKING, AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY.
RESPIRATOR REQUIRED!
In areas where
lead is present: WARNING, LEAD WORK
AREA, POISON!! NO SMOKING OR EATING. That sign may also include a skeleton
symbol.
When smoking is allowed in some places, a sign may announce: NO SMOKING
EXCEPT IN DESIGNATED AREAS.
Or some prefer low-key signs, such as: THANK YOU FOR NOT SMOKING. Those signs may include
the standard symbol of a cigarette within a circle with a diagonal red line
going through it.
In work areas
populated by multilingual employees the sign may be in more than one language.
An example of that kind of sign might state: NO SMOKING, NO FUMAR.
Signs may be constructed of durable vinyl, with pressure-sensitive backing (for adhering to walls or doors), tough rigid plastic, or the most durable of all, anodized aluminum signs.
In many
industrial zones and factories, employers are required by law to establish and
implement a lockout/tagout program as mandated by OSHA. Workers performing
service or maintenance on machinery and equipment may be exposed to injuries
from the unexpected energy start up of the machinery or equipment, or release
of stored energy in the equipment. The purpose of this program is to raise
awareness of workplace safety and prevent accidents and injuries from occurring
on the job.
When implementing OSHA1910.147, “The Control of Hazardous
Energy,” one is required to attach a tag and a padlock to the locking device
protecting the equipment. But what is the best way for the tag in question to
have the most impact? All tags must have the OSHA (or ANSI) DANGER header,
along with the phrase “Do Not Operate.” However more can be done to raise
awareness to all the personnel involved in a lockout situation. By adding a
photograph of the person performing maintenance during the lockout situation
and including the phrase “My Life Is OnThe Line” makes this tag stand out and
really brings out the Safety Message.
Proper Padlock Keying for Lockout:Tagout
The OSHA Lockout:Tagout regulation CFR1910.147 states
that Lockout Device is: A device that utilizes a positive means such as a lock,
either key or combination type, to hold an energy isolating device in the safe position
and prevent the energizing of a machine or equipment
Padlocks,
usually combined with a specific type of lockout device such as a circuit
breaker lockout or gate valve lockout insure that machinery cannot be in
operation during a lockout:tagout situation. In fact a lockout:tagout operation
will not begin until all machinery and equipment involved is locked out by the
appropriate device and the appropriate lock.
There are
basically 3 ways that padlocks are configured for Lockout:Tagout operations.
Padlocks can be set up “Keyed Alike.” In this situation
more than one padlock being used has the same key set to open the locks Padlocks
can be set up “Keyed Differently.” In this situation a number of padlocks being
used have different key sets. So only a key for a specific padlock will open only
that padlock and no other. Padlocks can also be set up to be “Master Keyed.” In
this case, one or more persons, perhaps the supervisors will a key that will
open many if not all padlocks being used, regardless of whether they are keyed
alike or keyed differently.
Each year, there are countless work-related eye injuries.
With the kind of eye protection available today and the comprehensive OSHA
regulations in place these injuries could be and should be avoided. And along
with the painful and serious injuries to the workers involved comes the cost of
medical expenses, lost production time and worker compensation.
The OSHA regulations required employers to provide both eye
and face protection against chemical, environmental, radiological as well as
mechanical irritants and hazards. In addition, to protect against flying
objects, workers must have side protection. Workers must use filtered lenses
with a shade number that is appropriate for the type of work being performed.
For example, there are a number of different welding operations. Each one
requires its own minimum shade protection.
A lockout hasp is used when more than one employee is involved in a lockout:tagout operation. These employees work in a group on the same energy source. The hasps allow multiple padlocks to be used when isolating one energy source such as a piece of machinery or a power switch. The lockout hasp is placed through a latch on the machinery to be locked out and each person carrying out maintenance or service work attaches their padlock through one of the six openings within the lockout hasp. All of the padlocks are then locked.
There is little or no warning that a fire
has started and that it has quickly gone out of control.
So
it is extremely important that all preparations for proper egress be made,
including signage well in advance and then practiced (drilled) over and over so
that there be no mistakes should there actually be a fire. With that in mind,
OSHA created the Means of Egress Standard.
The
first set of signs to be placed would include the name of the WARDENS.They are
the people that the employer or someone designated by the employer selects to
act as the leaders of groups of employees to assist in leading them to safe
locations.
Other signage
that should be placed at key locations throughout the facility is “Floor Plans”
which clearly show the emergency escape routes. The use of color-coding for
various groups can aid in knowing exactly where to go to leave the facility
quickly. Another important sign would indicate the SAFE AREA to exit to. An
exit sign has to be made to withstand harsh conditions, so they should be made
from heavy-duty laminated plastic.
ADA signs are designed and manufactured for Handicap
persons. They follow the guidelines set up under the Americans with
Disabilities Act. And with so many more handicapped employees now being hired
under that act, these signs are becoming more and more prominent.
ADA signs can
be found wherever a handicap individual will have to negotiate an entrance, a
restroom or a walkway. The signs are generally made with heavy-duty lamination,
or from steel or aluminum. All signs must have non-glare backgrounds and
characters to help ease the way for the elderly and those with little or
perhaps no vision.
While these signs are now beginning to be seen
in and around factories, they are not the only type of ADA signs. There are
also signs for the hearing impaired, people who are deaf and those that may
have a mental disorder of some kind.
When evaluating the potential for injury to hands while
working on equipment, if it is determined that general workplace practice will
not in itself provide enough protection then protective equipment must be
provided. This includes gloves, finger guards and arm coverings or elbow-length
gloves. Machine guards can be shown to provide some protection, but certainly
not enough to ward off possible injury.
There are many
types of hazards that a worker’s hands may encounter and there are many types
of gloves that are available for each of the hazards. It is extremely important
that workers use the gloves that have been specifically designed for the type
of hazard they face. When making the decision of what type of gloves to choose,
the following must be considered: the type of chemicals handled, what type of
contact will be encountered, the duration of the contact, what part of the
hands or arms are involved, what type of grip is necessary, thermal protection,
abrasion protection and the size and comfort needed by the worker.
