PSI Workplace Safety and Compliance 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does OSHA's Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) standard require before performing maintenance on energy-isolating equipment?
- Notify a supervisor and proceed quickly
- De-energize equipment and apply locks and tags to energy isolation points (Correct answer)
- Post a warning sign near the equipment
- Reduce power to 50% before working
Correct answer: De-energize equipment and apply locks and tags to energy isolation points
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 requires that all energy sources be isolated and locked or tagged out before maintenance or servicing begins to prevent unexpected energization.
Question 2: Under LOTO procedures, what must an authorized employee do after applying their personal lock to a machine?
- Give the key to their supervisor for safekeeping
- Verify that the equipment is de-energized by attempting to start it (Correct answer)
- Log the lock application in the maintenance log and continue
- Return the key to the safety office
Correct answer: Verify that the equipment is de-energized by attempting to start it
After applying a lockout device, the authorized employee must verify the equipment is de-energized by attempting to activate it or using a meter to confirm zero energy state.
Question 3: Which type of energy source must be controlled under OSHA's LOTO standard in addition to electrical energy?
- Light energy only
- Only kinetic energy
- Hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, and gravitational energy (Correct answer)
- Only electrical and mechanical energy
Correct answer: Hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, and gravitational energy
OSHA's LOTO standard applies to all forms of hazardous energy including electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, and gravitational (stored potential) energy.
Question 4: What is the key difference between a lockout device and a tagout device?
- Tagout devices provide the same level of protection as locks
- Lockout devices physically prevent operation; tagout devices only warn that equipment should not be energized (Correct answer)
- Tags are required by OSHA; locks are optional
- Locks are used for electrical hazards only; tags for mechanical hazards
Correct answer: Lockout devices physically prevent operation; tagout devices only warn that equipment should not be energized
Lockout devices physically prevent the re-energization of equipment, while tagout devices are warning labels that do not physically restrain operation and provide less protection.
Question 5: How many employees can share a single lock on a group lockout procedure?
- Up to 5 employees can share one lock
- Each authorized employee must apply their own personal lock (Correct answer)
- The crew supervisor applies one lock for the entire crew
- One lock per department is sufficient
Correct answer: Each authorized employee must apply their own personal lock
In group lockout procedures, each authorized employee working on the equipment must apply their own personal lock to the group lockout hasp to ensure individual protection.
Question 6: When must LOTO procedures be reviewed?
- Only when an accident occurs
- Annually and whenever there is reason to believe the procedure may not be adequate (Correct answer)
- Every five years during OSHA audits
- Only when new equipment is installed
Correct answer: Annually and whenever there is reason to believe the procedure may not be adequate
OSHA requires periodic inspections of energy control procedures at least annually, and also whenever there is reason to believe the procedure may not be protecting employees adequately.
Question 7: An employee performing cord-and-plug equipment servicing is exempt from LOTO requirements if which condition is met?
- The equipment is less than 120 volts
- The plug is under the exclusive control of the employee performing the work (Correct answer)
- The work is completed in under 10 minutes
- A supervisor is present during the service
Correct answer: The plug is under the exclusive control of the employee performing the work
OSHA exempts cord-and-plug equipment from LOTO if the plug is unplugged and kept under the exclusive personal control of the employee doing the service work.
PSI Workplace Safety and Compliance 4
What does OSHA's Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) standard require before performing maintenance on energy-isolating equipment?