Maintenance Technology October 2015 - (Page 37)
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Overcome
Lockout/Tagout
Challenges
WHILE THERE ARE ONLY six basic steps in the
Lockout Tagout (LOTO) process, plants frequently
don't execute it correctly. The challenges, according
to GE's William Todd Burns, often involve differing,
seemingly conflicting, and overly complicated administrative
processes found in operations with multiple sites. Burns
offers some insight on overcoming these challenges.
1. Build a culture based on
modern safety practices.
In the past, the industry expectation was to work on energized
equipment to avoid shutdowns and
maintain efficiency. With the intensified focus on worker safety and
the increasingly dangerous power
levels in today's electrical systems,
organizations must implement an
energized electrical work permit
(EEWP) program.
A properly implemented EEWP
program requires repairs on electrical components to be performed
de-energized-unless de-energization is deemed unfeasible. The goal
of an EEWP program is to prohibit
employees from performing
energized repair work, and, when
energized work can be justified, to
ensure additional risk assessment is
conducted, and safety defenses are
in place to protect personnel.
2. Keep things simple. To
be performed correctly, LOTO
processes must be kept simple.
Workers are trained on the basic
steps. The addition of varying steps
and/or administrative controls can
be confusing.
OCTOBER 2015
To be performed correctly, LOTO processes must be kept
simple. Workers are trained on the basic steps. When
additional steps or administrative controls vary, it's easy for
personnel to become confused.
3. Plan for the unexpected.
Although it's preferable for workers
to protect themselves by placing
their personal locks and tags on
energy sources, many plant LOTO
programs don't allow this. If that's
the case, a physical barrier is
needed, and additional measures
must be taken to ensure that
accidental activation of the energy
source doesn't lead to worker
injury-an approach referred to as
"tag plus."
4. Leverage transition tags.
A transition lock and tag is used
when equipment must remain
under LOTO, even though a worker
isn't actively involved or in contact
with it, i.e., when it is unsafe to
energize equipment between work
shifts. This allows LOTO continuity
between different personnel and
requires workers to walk down and
verify zero energy at each source,
on each shift.
5. Train and communicate.
All LOTO practices must be
communicated in training
programs and at regular refresher
courses for site electrical workers.
Detailed and applicable training
exerts the single largest, positive
impact on a LOTO program. It
arms workers with knowledge
of what to do when faced with
differing and complicated LOTO
programs. MT
Don't Forget
These Steps
■ Create a process to address
variances in your organization's
LOTO procedures.
■ Review and compare all applicable
LOTO procedures and identify
discrepancies before work begins.
■ When comparing multiple LOTO
procedures, always be sure to
follow the most restrictive.
■ Verify zero energy initially and
often, every day.
■ Ensure temporary personalprotective grounds are installed.
William Todd Burns is an
environmental health and safety
manager for GE Energy Management's North American Services business, Atlanta, and an electrical-safety-program champion supporting GE Energy
Management Field Services. For information, visit geenergymanagement.com.
MAINTENANCETECHNOLOGY.COM | 37
http://www.geenergymanagement.com
http://www.MAINTENANCETECHNOLOGY.COM
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maintenance Technology October 2015
My Take
Uptime
For on the Floor
Industry News
Crushing Limestone with Reliability
Choose Reliability or Cost Control
Get To The Root of the Cause
Select the Right Safety Logic System
Simple Purchasing Practices Incite Lubrication Failure
CMMS Upgrade Tips
Pump-Bearing Alignment
Lockout/Tagout Advice
Advancing Ergonomics
Products
Showcase
Ad Index
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