Good Practices

DOE-STD-1030-96

4. GOOD PRACTICES

4.1 Lockout/Tagout Use

Lockout/tagout in a DOE facility may serve three functions. The first function, defined by

both OSHA and DOE Order 5480.19, is to protect personnel from injury. The second

function closely related to that, is to protect systems and equipment from damage.

The third function of lockout/tagout is part of the overall control of equipment and system

status. A properly performed lockout/tagout ensures that the operating staff is aware that

the affected equipment cannot be operated. Coordination of lockout/tagout with the

operating staff helps ensure that necessary operations and safety functions can be performed

without exceeding the approved operating criteria for facility systems or causing unexpected

hazardous releases to the environment.

Both functions are necessary for the overall safe operation of DOE facilities, in accordance

with guidelines published by the Department of Energy, Office of Environment, Safety, and

Health. Some considerations affecting the use of lockout/tagout are identified in the

following sections.

4.1.1

Protecting Personnel from Injury

The primary emphasis of the lockout/tagout program is to protect personnel from

injury. Lockout/tagout is required when maintenance is to be performed on

equipment, unless the criteria listed in Section 4.1.4 of this document are met to

qualify for exception to the lockout/tagout program. After the equipment has

been isolated from all sources of potentially hazardous energy and material,

locks (if used) and tags are applied to the isolating devices to ensure that the

equipment cannot be operated inadvertently.

4.1.2

Protecting Equipment from Damage

When equipment problems that could destroy or severely damage the equipment

are detected, a lockout/tagout may be used to remove the equipment from

service and prevent its operation until corrective maintenance can be performed.

If lockout/tagout is used to protect the equipment, the procedures are identical to

those used when the purpose is to prevent personnel injury first, isolate the