Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) is an essential safety procedure used in industrial and manufacturing environments to prevent accidental injury during equipment maintenance, repair, or service. The primary purpose of LOTO is to ensure that machines or equipment are properly de-energized and cannot be unintentionally activated while workers are conducting their tasks. By isolating hazardous energy sources and clearly marking machines that are being serviced, LOTO protects workers from the risks associated with equipment malfunction or sudden energy release.
The Basics of Lock Out Tag Out The LOTO procedure involves two main actions： “lockout” and “tagout.” Lockout refers to the use of physical locks on energy isolation devices (such as circuit breakers, valves, or electrical switches) to prevent the release of hazardous energy. This ensures that the equipment cannot be accidentally turned on or energized while it is being worked on. Tagout involves placing a clearly visible tag or warning label on the locked-out equipment. This tag typically indicates that maintenance is taking place and serves as a visual deterrent to anyone who might attempt to operate the equipment.