Energy control procedures

Does the SAHP contain a lockout/tagout program that includes energy control procedures and employee training practices [OSHA Reference. 147(c)(1)]... 

Affected employees must receive training on the purpose and use of energy control procedures. These employees must (1) recognize the use energy control procedures, (2) understand the purpose... 

Inspections ensure that employees understand their responsibilities under the procedure and can implement energy control procedures properly. Employers must ensure that an authorized inspector, not involved in the particular control procedure under evaluation, determines the following (1) employees followed correct steps in the energy control procedures, (2) anployees know then-responsibilities, and (3) the procedure used to provide necessary protections. For lockout procedures, the periodic inspection must include a review of each authorized anployee s responsibilities. The inspector s review can extend to affected anployees. The anployer must certify that the designated inspectors perform periodic inspections. The certification must specify the following (1) machine or equipment on which the energy control procedure was used, (2) date of the inspection, (3) names of employees included in the inspection, and (4) name of the person who performed the inspection. 

Production equipment and machines fall under the safeguarding requirements of 29 CFR, Subpart O. OSHA requires the employer to conduct periodic inspections and ensure adherence to following proper procedures or requirements. This periodic inspection includes a review of each authorized worker s responsibilities under the energy control procedures. The inspections and the reviews provide a representative sample of compliance with the requirements of the standard and not a 100% inspection. 

Conduct inspections of energy control procedures at least annually. 

Train employees in specific energy control procedures with training reminders as part of the annnal inspection of these control procedures. 

An employee who works in an area in which energy control procedures are implemented, as in lockout/tagout. An affected employee and an authorized employee may be the same person. 

Any prominent warning device, such as tag and a means of attachment, which can be securely fastened to an energy-isolating device in accordance with an established procedure. The tag indicates that the machine or equipment to which it is attached is not to be operated until the tagout device is removed in accordance with the energy control procedure. 

OSHA s 29 CFR 1910.147 states that employers are required to develop, document, and utilize an energy control procedures program to control potentially hazardous energy. The energy control procedures must specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, the following ... 

Each tweeted employee (person affected by the lockout/tagout) shall be instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure. 

All other employees whose work operations are or may be in areas where energy control procedures may be used shall be instructed about the procedure and about the prohibitions relating to attempts to restart or re-energize machines or equipment that are locked out or tagged out. 

Periodic inspections or audits must be performed by an authorized employee who does not use the energy control procedure being inspected. 

The identified machine/equipment requires a periodic inspection of the energy control procedures according to 1910.147(c)(6) - The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout). Check ( ) or complete all elements of this form that apply to the Periodic Inspection. [NOTE This standard does not apply to construction, agriculture, or maritime industries.]... 

The authorized employees understand the energy control procedures for this machine/equipment... 

Employees understand their responsibilities in the energy control procedures... 

Where lockout is used An authorized employee, other than the one(s) utilizing the energy control procedure, must conduct an inspection that includes an obseryation of the implementation of the procedure and a reyiew of each authorized employee s responsibilities under the energy control procedure being inspected. 

The name, or other identifier, of the machine or equipment on which the energy control procedure was being utiiized. 

OSHA interprets the inspection requirements to mean that each energy control procedure must be separately inspected at least annually. Energy control procedures used less than once a year need to be inspected only when they are used. 

OSHA expects the employer to develop written energy control procedures for each machine or piece of equipment. The standards says that under certain conditions, the procedure for a particular machine or equipment does not need to be in writing. The conditions apply when the machine has a single energy source that completely shuts down the unit, and that energy source will be locked out during repairs. 

The tag indicates that the machine or equipment to which it is attached is not to be operated until the tag-out device is removed in accordance with the energy control procedure. 

The utility should certify that the periodic inspections have been performed. The certification needs to identify the machine, equipment, pipelines, or other sources of hazardous energy on which the energy control procedure was being used the date of the inspection the employees included in the inspection and the person performing the inspection. 

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