What does lockout/tagout aim to do?

Lockout/tagout is a critical safety procedure used in industrial and other work settings to ensure that hazardous machinery or equipment is properly shut off and not able to be started again until maintenance or servicing is complete. This practice is vital for protecting workers from unintended machine start-up or release of stored energy while they are performing their tasks.

The primary goal of lockout/tagout is to prevent equipment from being operated while maintenance work is being performed, ensuring that technicians can work safely without the risk of accidents caused by equipment that may unexpectedly turn on. This contributes significantly to workplace safety, as it safeguards employees during their work on or near potentially dangerous machinery.

While promoting safe work practices and enhancing equipment operation can be beneficial outcomes of effective lockout/tagout procedures, the fundamental purpose remains focused on the prevention of equipment operation during maintenance and servicing activities.