Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedures for Affected Employees

Introduction

At our scrap metal facility, the safety of all employees is our top priority. This article explains the Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures that apply to you as an affected employee—someone who operates or uses machinery and equipment but does not perform maintenance or servicing on it.

Understanding Your Role as an Affected Employee

As an affected employee, you need to understand that:

• You are NOT authorized to perform lockout/tagout procedures for the purpose of maintaining, repairing, or servicing machinery and equipment
• Only qualified maintenance personnel are authorized to work on machines and equipment
• Only maintenance staff may apply locks and tags to perform maintenance, repairs, adjustments, or other servicing activities
• Facility managers and designated supervisors may be authorized to apply lockout/tagout devices, but solely for the purpose of keeping employees safe from machinery requiring maintenance—they are not authorized to perform the actual maintenance work

What LOTO Means for You

When you see a lock or tag on a machine or piece of equipment, it means:

• The equipment is out of service and may not be operated
• Someone is working on the equipment or it requires maintenance
• Starting or operating the equipment could cause serious injury or death
• The equipment must remain off until all locks and tags are removed by authorized personnel

Your Responsibilities as an Affected Employee

DO:

• Stop using equipment immediately when you notice it needs maintenance or is malfunctioning
• Report equipment problems to your supervisor or maintenance personnel right away
• Stay clear of locked-out/tagged-out equipment at all times
• Never attempt to operate any equipment that has a lock or tag applied
• Respect all LOTO devices regardless of who applied them
• Ask questions if you’re unsure about the status of any equipment
• Understand that your safety depends on following these procedures

DO NOT:

• Never remove or bypass any lock, tag, or lockout device—even if you think the work is finished
• Never attempt repairs or adjustments on machinery or equipment yourself
• Never operate equipment that has been locked or tagged out
• Never ask someone to remove their lock so you can use the equipment
• Never assume equipment is safe just because it appears to be off

Recognizing LOTO Situations

You may encounter lockout/tagout in various situations at our scrap metal facility:

• Baler maintenance: When balers are being serviced or unchoked
• Conveyor repairs: When conveyors require adjustment or component replacement
• Shear servicing: When hydraulic shears need blade changes or hydraulic work
• Crane maintenance: When overhead cranes or mobile equipment require service
• Electrical work: When electrical panels or circuits are being serviced
• Scheduled maintenance: During routine preventive maintenance activities

What to Do When You Need Equipment That’s Locked Out

If you need to use equipment that has been locked or tagged out:

1. Do not touch the equipment or LOTO devices
2. Contact your supervisor to find out when the equipment will be available
3. Wait for authorized personnel to complete their work and properly remove all locks and tags
4. Verify equipment is safe to operate before resuming work

Emergency Situations

If you encounter an emergency involving locked-out equipment:

• Contact your supervisor or facility manager immediately
• Call emergency services if needed (fire, medical emergency, etc.)
• Follow your facility’s emergency procedures
• Still do not remove locks or tags yourself—emergency responders and authorized personnel will handle the situation

Communication is Key

Effective communication helps keep everyone safe:

• Inform maintenance personnel about equipment problems as soon as you notice them
• Tell your supervisor if you see damaged locks or tags
• Report any concerns about equipment safety
• Participate in safety meetings where LOTO procedures are discussed
• Ask for clarification if you don’t understand something about LOTO

The Consequences of Non-Compliance

Violating LOTO procedures can result in:

• Serious injury or death to yourself or coworkers
• Disciplinary action up to and including termination
• Legal consequences for the facility and individuals involved
• Emotional trauma from causing harm to others

LOTO procedures exist because the accidental startup of equipment has caused countless workplace injuries and fatalities. Your compliance protects lives.

Training and Questions

All affected employees must receive training on:

• The purpose and function of LOTO procedures
• How to recognize when LOTO is in place
• Your responsibilities as an affected employee
• The prohibition against attempting to restart locked-out equipment

If you have questions about LOTO procedures or need additional training, contact your supervisor or safety coordinator immediately. Understanding these procedures is critical to your safety and the safety of your coworkers.

Summary

Remember these key points:

• Only maintenance personnel are authorized to work on equipment
• Only maintenance personnel may apply LOTO for servicing purposes
• Managers and some supervisors may apply LOTO only to protect workers, not to perform maintenance themselves
• You must never operate, remove locks from, or interfere with locked-out or tagged-out equipment
• Your safety depends on respecting all LOTO procedures
• When in doubt, ask—never guess about equipment safety

Your role as an affected employee is to recognize LOTO situations, respect the controls in place, and report any concerns. By following these procedures, you help create a safer workplace for everyone at our scrap metal facility.