What is Lockout Tagout?
If you’re considering a career in construction, manufacturing, or engineering, you’ve probably heard about lockout/tagout. This important safety practice is used across industries to protect workers from hazardous energy during equipment maintenance or servicing. Understanding what lockout/tagout means, why it matters, and how it’s applied is key for anyone starting out in these fields.
Understanding the Procedure
In simple terms, lockout/tagout (often called LOTO) is a safety procedure designed to ensure that machines are properly shut down and cannot be restarted until the work is finished. Workers use locks and tags to physically block energy sources and communicate that maintenance is in progress.
The ultimate goal: keep everyone safe from unexpected equipment start-up or the release of stored energy.
Why Lockout Tagout Is Important
Every year, thousands of workplace injuries occur because equipment wasn’t properly shut off before being serviced. That’s where OSHA—the Occupational Safety and Health Administration—steps in. OSHA requires that employers follow strict lockout/tagout procedures to protect workers from these avoidable accidents.
Following the proper steps not only ensures compliance with OSHA but also prevents:
- Electrical shocks
- Crushing or cutting injuries
- Chemical releases
- Burns from hot fluids or steam
Procedure and Requirements
So, what does a standard lockout/tagout procedure look like? OSHA has laid out clear requirements that every workplace must follow. Here are the main steps:
- Preparation – Identify all energy sources connected to the machine or system.
- Shutdown – Power down the equipment in the normal way.
- Isolation – Disconnect or block the energy sources.
- Lockout/Tagout – Apply locks and tags to each energy source.
- Release stored energy – Drain, bleed, or discharge any built-up energy.
- Verification – Confirm the machine is fully de-energized before work begins.
When maintenance is complete, the worker who placed the lock and tag must be the one to remove them—ensuring accountability and safety.
Who Needs Lockout Tagout Training?
Anyone who services or maintains equipment in construction, engineering, manufacturing, or warehouse settings will need training in lockout/tagout requirements. Employers are responsible for providing this training, and OSHA standards ensure that workers know how to recognize hazards and properly apply the procedure.
Career Connections
If you’re looking at jobs in the skilled trades, there’s a good chance lockout/tagout will be part of your day-to-day responsibilities. From millwrights and electricians to machine operators and maintenance technicians, understanding this procedure is a must.
Take the Next Step with NCW
At NCW, we connect hardworking individuals with opportunities in construction, manufacturing, engineering, and distribution industries nationwide. Our recruiters will help you find a role that values your safety skills and technical knowledge.
Reach out to NCW today to explore jobs where you can put your training into action.