The majority of the equipment used in manufacturing facilities, including machine locks and safeties, is made to be simple to use and operate. This is especially true for standard equipment that is used by most companies. However, this ease of operation usually comes at the expense of safety and security. Machines and equipment that require a lockout or tagout procedure must be operated only by authorised personnel who are aware of the risks involved in doing so. These safeguards are required to protect employees from hazardous use, injury and even death when working with machinery or specialty equipment.
You know that feeling when you're in the middle of a work process and suddenly realise that you don't have the right tool for the job? Maybe it's a simple task like trying to unscrew a stubborn bolt, or maybe it's something more complex and dangerous like working on machinery. In either case, it can be frustrating and even dangerous to continue without the proper equipment. That's why lockout and tagout procedures are so important. But what exactly does this procedure entail and what isolation products can help in this process? Let's take a closer look.
What Is Lockout And Tagout?
Lockout and tagout are safety procedures that manufacturers use to prevent injuries in manufacturing plants. They were developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and are used to protect employees from hazardous operations, like using a machine or specialty equipment. A lockout is a procedure which requires the operator of an electrically-powered machine or equipment to change its settings before any work can be done on it. This prevents accidental starting of the equipment. A tagout is a procedure that prevents the operator from working on machinery or specialty equipment when the electrical power is still attached, even if they have appropriate credentials.
Machines That Requires The Lockout And Tagout Process
Some machines that require a lockdown or tagout process are those that have moving parts, require electricity, and produce vibrations. These machines can be found in maintenance workshops and manufacturing plants. A proper lockout and tagout procedure is when the machine is shut down properly to protect employees who are servicing it. Employees must be aware of the precautions they must take when working with machinery or specialty equipment before they start their work shift. For example, if an employee knows there’s a risk of electric shock, they should use protective equipment like gloves and safety glasses to avoid injury. They should also ensure that the area around where they are working is well-lit to help minimise the risks involved from being exposed to unshielded electrical current during a lockout or tagout procedure.
Pumps and Valves
Pumps and valves are the most common machines and equipment that require lockout or tagout procedures. The process of locking the machine in place involves using a chain, bar or screwdriver to secure a key switch on the machine in addition to turning off power to the machine. Once locked in place, authorised personnel can work on the machinery or specialty equipment. The process of tagging out a valve also requires shutting off power and then completing a quick inspection of the switch before it’s removed from its set position on the valve. This is usually done by an individual who is physically able to do so without causing harm to themselves or the valve itself.
Strainers
Some common strainers include ball and roller mills, hydrocyclones, scrapers, scrubbers and filtering screens. These machines are typically used for removing material from a liquid or gas stream to produce filtrates or solid particles. In order to protect the equipment from damage, it is important to ensure that the strainer is always in good condition and properly functioning. In order to do so, it is necessary to have a lockout/tagout procedure on each machine.
Depending on the strainer’s design and size, there are different types of lockout/tagout procedures. For example, if there is only one strainer installed on a single-phase machine like this one, then it’s not necessary to have a lockout and tagout procedure installed on the machine itself. Instead, it’s recommended that you have an authorised personnel perform the tagout procedure while another person remains at their workstation monitoring their safety.
Screws
Screws are one type of fastener that require the lockout and tagout procedure. There are two different types of screws: plain, which is exposed on the head of the screw, and countersunk, which is flush with the surface. There are two procedures for using a screw:
1. Attempting to unscrew it without first turning off the power supply or locking out other rotating parts that could cause injury or death if operated without proper safeguards.
2. Turning off the power supply and then attempting to unscrew it by hand with no other rotating parts operating during this time period.
Breakers And Closers
Breakers and closers are machines that are used to open or close a machine’s governor, valve or other similar devices. The breaker is usually installed near the machine and the closer is usually installed on top of it. Breakers and closers are designed with manual controls that allow employees to operate them when needed.
Rotary Kilns
Rotary kilns are used in manufacturing industries to heat up materials, such as metals and ceramic, to high-temperature levels. They’re typically found in foundries, anodizing and plating facilities, and the steel industry. They are also known as rotary furnaces or rotary ovens. A typical lockout and tagout procedure for a rotary kiln requires that an inspector must first evaluate the machine before it is powered on by entering the production area. The machine is then put into a work mode in which the operator can operate it while they assume the risk of injury with the power off.
Once the work mode has been activated, proper lockout procedures must be followed before any hazardous parts of the machine are operated. A safe place to stand must be provided and a warning sign placed where employees can see it. If necessary, a tool chock may be used to prevent tools from falling out of reach once the power is turned off. In some cases, a guardrail may also be required in order to minimise hazards during operation. When finished, proper shutdown procedures need to be followed before putting the machinery back into its storage position or returning it to its operator's area.
Presses And Press Brakes
Presses and press brakes are used to apply pressure and work metal in manufacturing plants. They are often manned by a single operator, who therefore has full control of the equipment. Because they are typically operated without assistance, they require a tagout procedure to be followed when they’re not in use. The lockout/tagout procedure for presses and press brakes involves the following actions:
1) All power is removed from the machine
2) The machine is locked mechanically or electrically
3) The machine is tagged with a lock-out tag in addition to a personal or company identification tags, such as an RFID tag or coloured tape
4) The machine can only be operated by authorised personnel who have been trained and know how to follow these procedures
Thrust Bearings
Thrust bearings are found on machine tools, grinder machines, and other production equipment. When the bearing is in use, it uses the energy of a heavy cutting tool to rotate the shaft. The rotation of the shaft then causes the rotating component to move outward. This movement is what drives a process that can be used for machining workpieces or other objects. This movement creates a radial force on the shaft and its bearing face that must be overcome. If it were not for the thrust bearings, these forces could cause dangerous vibrations and wear on the machine tool's bearings and ultimately lead to unsafe operation or failure of the machine. Machinery manufacturers design their equipment so that these thrust forces are accommodated by having them transferred from one part of an expensive system to another part where they are less damaging. However, if these forces get too strong, they'll cause damage to critical components such as bearings that need to be replaced before they can cause catastrophic failures like fires or explosions.
Jacks & Hoists Grippers
Jack and hoist grippers are both types of large, powerful machinery that use a locking mechanism to hold the workpiece in place. In most cases, these devices require a lockout procedure before they can be operated. This means that authorised personnel must unlock the device before it will function properly. A lockout is usually required when an individual has not finished the task for which he or she was assigned or has not completed a task within a specified time period, if a machine jams, or if an emergency situation occurs that requires immediate action.
Safety Is A Top Priority At Every Workplace
Lockouts and tag outs are two of the most common safety procedures used in manufacturing plants. These methods are required for all machinery and equipment that have rotating shafts or use pressurised gas, oil, hydraulics or electricity. A lockout or tagout procedure is meant to prevent injuries and fatalities due to unsafe use of machinery and equipment. A lockout or tagout procedure is a way of preventing an employee from working on machinery when it’s not supposed to be used by anyone else. This prevents hazardous activities such as operating a machine without the necessary safety devices attached, which can lead to serious accidents and even death.
Machinery and equipment that pose a risk to the safety of workers during service or maintenance require a lockout tagout procedure. This means that before any work is done on the machine, the power must be turned off and the appropriate locks applied to prevent accidental start up. If you’re looking for products to help you with your lockout tagout procedures, LockSafe has everything you need. They carry padlocks, cable ties, tags, and more in a variety of colours and sizes to suit your needs.
