Control of hazardous energy sources

This safety compliance checklist assists employers and supervisors in determining that procedures and equipment are available and personnel are trained in the control of hazardous energy sources. This checklist only addresses the minimum required standards. Where appropriate, it may be supplemented with local site- or shop-unique requirements. Relevant references are noted after each question. 

CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS ENERGY SOURCES [LOCKOUT/TACOUT] (29 CFR 1910.147)... 

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safely and Health Administration 29 CFR Part 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry, Subpart S, Electrical, 1910.301 to 1910.399 including 1910.331 through 1910.335 Electrical Safely Related Woik Practices Subpart J, General Environmental Controls, 1910.147, The Control of Hazardous Energy Sources (Lockout/Tagout) 29 CFR Part 1926, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, Subpart K, Electrical, 1926.400 to 1926.449... 

Many workplaces have high accident incidence and severity rates because they are hazardous. Hazards are dangerous situations or conditions that can lead to accidents. The more the hazards present, the greater the chance that there will be accidents. Most hazards are from the direct release of some form of energy (i.e., mechanical, electrical, thermal, etc.). The control of hazardous energy sources is the main avenue for prevention of incidents that could result in injury, illnesses, or death. Unless safety procedures are followed, a direct relationship will exist between the number of hazards in the workplace and the number of accidents that will occur there. 

Federal Register, Part IV, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 29 CFR 1910. Control of Hazardous Energy Source (Lockout/Tagout) Final Rule. September 1, 1989. 

Eail-Safe Design features which provide for the maintenance of safe operating conditions in the event of a malfunction of control devices or an interruption of an energy source (e.g., direction of failure of a control valve on loss of signal). A system is fail-safe if failure of a component, signal, or utility that would create a hazard initiates an action that maintains the system in a safe condition. 

Is nuclear green since it produces no air emissions—and in this sense is the cleanest of all energy sources in the aggregate—or should waste disposal and the hazards of plant failure be controlling ... 

Both should identtify all sources of hazardous energy and the contractor should implement lockout procedures adequate to control all of them. Aside for making sure the correct procedures are followed, the host employer must ensure that their employees comply with any restrictions regarding the contractor s procedures. For example, employees should be able to recognize the contractor s lockout equipment and know to stay clear of the area where the work is being done. 

Reply Yes, but only If all of the provisions of the Lockout/Tagout standard, 1910.147 are met and all hazardous energy sources are effectively controlled. Whether a hydraulic pump and motor is effectively locked or tagged out will have to be determined on a case-by-case basis by the employer, who is ultimately responsible for the safety of employees. ... 

Specific requirements for testing a machine, equipment, pipelines, or other sources of hazardous energy to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy control measures... 

Each authorized employee shall receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control... 

Do authorized employees know the adequate methods and means of isolating hazardous energy sources [29 CFR 1910.147 (c)(7XiXA)] Are affected employees instructed by their supervisor on the purpose and use of energy control procedures [29 CFR 1910.147 (cXTXi) (B)]... 

Figure 23-1 shows the hazards identification and risk assessment procedure. The procedure begins with a complete description of the process. This includes detailed PFD and P I diagrams, complete specifications on all equipment, maintenance records, operating procedures, and so forth. A hazard identification procedure is then selected (see Haz-ard Analysis subsection) to identify the hazards and their nature. This is followed by identification of all potential event sequences and potential incidents (scenarios) that can result in loss of control of energy or material. Next is an evaluation of both the consequences and the probability. The consequences are estimated by using source models (to describe the... 

The system for classification and disposal of hazardous chemical waste developed by EPA under RCRA does not apply to all wastes that contain hazardous chemicals. For example, wastes that contain dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), or asbestos are regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In addition, the current definition of hazardous waste in 40 CFR Part 261 specifically excludes many wastes that contain hazardous chemicals from regulation under RCRA, including certain wastes produced by extraction, beneficiation, and processing of various ores and minerals or exploration, development, and use of energy resources. Thus, the waste classification system is not comprehensive, because many potentially important wastes that contain hazardous chemicals are excluded, and it is not based primarily on considerations of risks posed by wastes, because the exclusions are based on the source of the waste rather than the potential risk. 

Dilution is attributed to the large amounts of air that are entrained by the spray. As a result of air entrainment, dispersion behavior is altered for materials that exhibit negative buoyancy upon release. This is found to be effective in controlling flammability hazards that are located close to the release source. If an explosion does occur, some of the energy will be absorbed in the breakup of the water spray droplets, thereby mitigating the explosions impact. 

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