Lockout devices seem insignificant but play a major role in safeguarding a workplace. They prevent accidents or potential injuries during the maintenance or repair work, especially for machines and equipment. Engineers, electricians, and technicians all rely on these devices to isolate and lock off the selected machine, part, or equipment to carry out their assigned tasks of repair, maintenance, and more. Let’s learn more about these lockout devices whether you’re working outdoors or indoors:
A Quick Overview of Lockout Devices
A lockout device is a type of safety mechanism a person uses on an energy-isolating device to securely hold it. For example, padlocks are used to lock the physical parts, blank flanges are used for pipes and valves, and bolted slip blinds will block them. It is like a fail-safe device that prevents the machine, equipment, or tool (on which the device is used) from functioning or being activated in any manner. Thus, it provides optimum safety for the engineer, electrician, or technician working on the machine.
Purpose of The Lockout Devices
Different machines and equipment often require maintenance. However, it isn’t practical or cost-effective to shut down an entire factory or infrastructure if one of the machines or some of its parts isn’t working optimally. That’s where lockout devices come into play to lock out that specific machine for the professional to carry out repair or maintenance.
It also prevents that equipment from functioning or being activated by mistake. Thus, it prevents any accidents by isolating the machine. It cuts of all primary, secondary, and other sources. However, the professional has to be careful and diligent to place lockout devices properly in the right locations.
Types of Lockout Devices
There are different types of lockout devices available according to work requirements and other procedures. Here’s a quick list of some of the branded options that companies and platforms like RS Group offer:
- Padlocks: These are used to prevent any machine from being switched on.
- Tagout Tags: These are the devices that provide clear signals, signs and communication about the status of the machine or system. It tells the professional about the responsible for the shutdown.
- Gate Valve Lockouts: These are used to lock out the valves and valve handles, along with the padlocks. Check out Viking Fence, stands tall as the only fence company in Central Texas that houses an exclusive in-house access control division.
- Ball Valve Lockouts: These are used on ball valves to prevent them from opening by clamping on the liver and preventing it from turning.
- MCB Lockouts: Also known as circuit breaker lockouts. These are used on electrical circuits for safety.
- Cable Lockouts: Used in large equipment that has cables for the power and other supplies to lock them.
- Lockout Hasp: Used in most Lockout Tagout safety procedures for a professional to work. These locks have jaws that are used on attachment points and can be used for multiple or group lockouts.
- Steering Wheel Lockout: These are used to immobilize the steerwheel for the devices, machines, or equipment that might have them. It also applies to the levers that are used like steering wheels.
- Flange Lockout: As mentioned earlier, flanges are used to prevent accidental opening or closing of flanges.
- Gas Cylinder Lockout: Isolates the gas cylinders to prevent potential hazards.
What Is The Proper Lockout Device Procedure?
Only an experienced and trained professional is allowed to carry out the Lockouts. They are required to tag the lockouts for proper organization and maintenance. These tags contain all the necessary details for the safety. Often, there is a dedicated lockout station for the complete tools, keys and more.
A person might have to undergo proper licensing and qualification to be able to use lockout devices. However, most experienced professionals who work with certain machines or industries often know how to use these lockout devices.
