Lockout/Tagout

Policy Statement

This policy is intended to protect all employees from injuries resulting from:

  • the unexpected or accidental energizing or start up of machines or equipment, and
  • the release of stored energy or materials when working with equipment during service, repair, maintenance or operating activities.

This policy and its associated guidelines provide direction for the development of effective lockout/tagout programs to prevent such injuries.

Application

This policy applies to all employees of the City of Toronto, and all contractors and their sub-contractors working for the City.

Definitions

Equipment

includes but is not limited to machinery, devices, stationary tools, vessels, pipes, tanks, and vehicles.

Energy source

includes but is not limited to electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, chemical, gravity, thermal, steam, tension, momentum, spring pressure, head pressure and line pressure (fluid/gas).

Lock

means a keyed lock.

Lockout

means disengaging all energy sources from equipment, safely releasing stored energy or materials, and securing the control device(s) in the “off” position with an approved lock, thereby rendering it incapable of operation, release or movement.

Tag

means an approved/durable label that is made of non-conductive material, which provides information about the purpose of locking the equipment out, and particulars such as whose lock it is and the date/time.

Test

means attempting to energize and/or operate equipment, following the implementation of a complete lockout to ensure the energy source has been locked out.

Control Device

means a device that physically isolates equipment from its energy source, and can be secured, locked or isolated in the “off” or closed position (e.g. keyed locks, lockout bars, braces, line blanks, line caps, electrical disconnect switches, programmable logic controllers, blocks).

Responsibilities

Divisions shall:

  • establish a process for evaluating work operations, machinery and equipment to determine where lockout/tagout procedures, devices and training are needed
  • develop and maintain a written lockout/tagout program that includes a lockout permit system
  • develop and maintain specific lockout/tagout-related safe working procedures, where necessary, in compliance with occupational health and safety legislation, this policy and associated guidelines
  • ensure all existing equipment and machinery has the capability for lockout, de-energizing or isolation from all sources of energy, including stored energy or materials
  • provide and maintain necessary equipment to enable lockout/tagout of equipment or machinery, where necessary
  • ensure that new equipment or machinery is designed and installed in a manner that provides the capability for lockout, de-energizing or isolation from all sources of energy, including stored energy or materials
  • provide general and specific training to workers who work on machinery or equipment under conditions requiring lockout/tagout provisions
  • ensure that work is performed in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations and industry standards
  • establish a process for evaluating work operations, machinery and equipment to determine where lockout/tagout procedures, devices and training are needed

Supervisory staff shall:

  • be familiar with all aspects of the divisional lockout/tagout program
  • evaluate work operations, machinery and equipment to determine where lockout/tagout procedures, devices and training are needed
  • ensure that the requirements of the program and related elements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations, and applicable industry standards, are applied at all times
  • ensure that all employees under their supervision who work on machinery or equipment are competent to do assigned work, are provided with written instructions and training (where required), and are issued an approved lockout permit
  • conduct appropriate inspections to ensure procedures are followed and, when violations are found, take appropriate action
  • maintain a record or training and a list of equipment or locations with specific lockout/tagout procedures
  • retain used lockout permits for a minimum of two years

Workers shall:

  • attend lockout/tagout training and apply knowledge acquired through training in the performance of their work
  • acquire permission to work on equipment by way of a lockout permit, which shall be returned to the supervisor on completion of the work
  • use lockout/tagout devices provided as specified in the procedures

Occupational health and safety staff shall:

  • assist in the evaluation of machines and equipment, as necessary, to determine the need for lockout/tagout procedures and devices
  • provide assistance in the development of lockout/tagout procedures
  • provide assistance in the development and delivery of lockout/tagout training
  • conduct periodic audits of the lockout/tagout program and recommend changes, as needed

Joint health and safety committees are responsible for:

  • making recommendations for development of, or improvements to existing, lockout/tagout procedures, as needed

Authority

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.O. 1990, c.0.1)
Regulations for Industrial Establishments made under the Occupational Health & Safety Act (O.Reg. 851)
Regulations for Construction Projects made under the Occupational Health & Safety Act (O.Reg. 213/91)
Regulations for Health Care & Residential Facilities made under the Occupational Health & Safety Act (O.Reg. 67/93)

Endorsed by

Occupational Health and Safety Coordinating Committee (OHSCC),
September 26, 2000

Approved by

City of Toronto Senior Management Team (SMT)

Date Approved

October 20, 2000

Reviewed by OHSCC

September 29, 2015

Related information

Lockout/Tagout Program Guidelines