CSS Electrical Safety and LOTO 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147, which employees are authorized to perform lockout/tagout procedures?
- Any employee who works near the equipment
- Employees who have been trained and designated by the employer (Correct answer)
- Only licensed electricians
- Supervisors and managers only
Correct answer: Employees who have been trained and designated by the employer
OSHA 1910.147 requires that only employees who have been trained and formally designated as authorized employees may perform LOTO procedures.
Question 2: What is the primary hazard addressed by the OSHA Lockout/Tagout standard (29 CFR 1910.147)?
- Fire caused by electrical shorts
- Unexpected energization or startup of machinery (Correct answer)
- Electrical shock from exposed wiring
- Overloading of circuit breakers
Correct answer: Unexpected energization or startup of machinery
The LOTO standard specifically targets unexpected energization, startup, or release of stored energy during servicing and maintenance.
Question 3: A tagout device used in place of a lockout device must meet which additional requirement?
- It must be red in color
- It must be attached using wire rope
- Additional safety measures equivalent to the protection of a lock must be implemented (Correct answer)
- It must include a photo of the authorized employee
Correct answer: Additional safety measures equivalent to the protection of a lock must be implemented
When tagout is used instead of lockout, employers must demonstrate that tagging provides the same level of protection, which often requires additional measures.
Question 4: What does 'stored energy' include in the context of LOTO procedures?
- Only electrical energy stored in capacitors
- Electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, thermal, and gravitational energy (Correct answer)
- Battery backup power only
- Energy stored in fuel tanks
Correct answer: Electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, thermal, and gravitational energy
Stored energy encompasses all energy forms including electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical (springs), thermal, and gravitational (suspended parts).
Question 5: How often must an employer conduct an inspection of energy control procedures under 29 CFR 1910.147?
- Monthly
- Every 6 months
- At least annually (Correct answer)
- Every 2 years
Correct answer: At least annually
OSHA requires a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure the procedure and employees' knowledge remain adequate.
Question 6: In a complex LOTO situation involving multiple energy sources, what is the correct sequence after isolating all energy sources?
- Attempt to start the machine to verify de-energization
- Notify maintenance, then attempt restart
- Verify de-energization, then apply locks and tags (Correct answer)
- Apply locks and tags, then verify de-energization
Correct answer: Verify de-energization, then apply locks and tags
After isolation, the correct sequence is to verify that the equipment is de-energized (e.g., by attempting to start it) before applying lockout/tagout devices — but verification comes first.
Question 7: Which of the following situations is specifically EXCLUDED from the OSHA LOTO standard?
- Changing a conveyor belt
- Hot work on energized electrical systems covered by NFPA 70E
- Cord-and-plug connected equipment where the plug is within sight and control of the authorized employee (Correct answer)
- Replacing hydraulic hoses on heavy machinery
Correct answer: Cord-and-plug connected equipment where the plug is within sight and control of the authorized employee
Cord-and-plug connected equipment is exempt from 1910.147 when the plug remains under the exclusive control of the employee performing the work.
CSS Electrical Safety and LOTO 2
Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147, which employees are authorized to perform lockout/tagout procedures?