LOCKOUT PROCEDURE


   

1. OBJECTIVE  
2. DEFENITIONS
  2.1 Supervisor
  2.2 Person in charge of the lockout
  2.3 Worker
  2.4 Personal lock
  2.5 Departmental lock
  2.6 Identification label
  2.7 Lockout box
  2.8 Lockout plan
  2.9 Instruction label
  2.10 Safety clasp
  2.11 Lockout chain or valve lockout device
  2.12 Switch
  2.13 Power source
  2.14 Equipment
  2.15 Work
  2.16 Operator
  2.17 Lockout card
3. RESPONSABILITIES
  3.1 Management
  3.2 Project manager
  3.3 Supervisor
  3.4 Person in charge of the lockout
  3.5 Worker
  3.6 Contractor
  3.7 Department
  3.8 Lockout committee
4. WORK PROCEDURE
  4.1 Chronological procedure for single lockout
  4.2 Procedure for multiple lockout
  4.3 Valve lockout procedure
5. FORGETTING TO REMOVE A PERSONAL LOCK
6. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES
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1. OBJECTIVE
  To ensure that a piece of equipment cannot be turned on, pressurized or switched on accidentally while an employee is  working on it.
2. DEFINITIONS
  Regarding the lockout procedure, the following definitions apply.
  2.1 Supervisor:
    The person responsible for the employee performing the lockout.
  2.2 Person in charge of the lockout:
  A person responsible for performing the lockout with competence.
  2.3 Worker:
  Any employee who must ensure his protection
  2.4 Personal lock:
 

A lock bearing the employee’s name.  (Appendix A).
In a single lockout, personal locks are used directly on the equipment with a safety clasp.
In a multiple lockout, personal locks are placed on the lockout box.
The personal lock must protect a single person.  Only this person has the key to his/her lock.
 
  2.5 Departmental lock:
  A lock bearing the department’s name and an order number (Appendix A).

The departmental lock is used to replace the personal lock when the worker must leave the work site at the end of his shift; it is also used to lockout a piece of equipment for one or more days.  In all cases, the reason for using this lock must be indicated  on a label provided for this purpose.  The departmental lock alone is not an adequate safety measure while work is carried out.  The personal lock must also be used.

Departmental locks and keys are available in every department.

NOTE: Departmental lock must not be used on any equipment that will not be used for a long time.  This piece of equipment must be disconnected.
  2.6 Identification label:
  A label attached to the personal lock on which the employee's name is engraved (Appendix A).
  2.7 Lockout box: (Appendix B)
  A box containing the key of the departmental locks as well as the lockout card.  This box is used in a multiple lockout.  Each worker involved adds his personal lock and keeps his key
  2.8 Lockout plan:
  A drawing that helps the person responsible for the lockout locate the equipment (pump, motor, tank, valves, etc.) which must be closed, opened, locked or blanked.
  2.9 Instruction label:
 

A label bearing information on the use of locks, i.e. the reason for the lockout, the reference number in the lockout manual (which explains the reason for the lockout, gives its date and states the name of the person in charge of the lockout). The words "Danger, ne pas alimenter” or “Danger Do Not Start" are written on the label.

The label and tie are made of non-conducting material.

In addition, for a multiple lockout:

The label is completed in duplicate.

One label and the key remain in the departmental lock cabinet, the other label is inserted in the lock and placed on the piece of equipment (Appendix D).

  2.10 Safety clasp:
  A device allowing the addition of locks for all workers (Appendix E).
  2.11 Lockout chain or valve lockout device:
  A chain or device to which the lock is attached to lock out the valve (Appendix E).
  2.12 Switch:
  A device which serves to supply the equipment with electricity.
  2.13 Power source:
  Energy or power generated by any one of the following:

  • compressed air,
  • vapour, electricity,
  • hydraulic energy or
  • any equipment or machine which can generate power.
  2.14 Equipment:
  A piece of equipment or machine that has a power source or can generate its own power.

Such equipment includes:  a shaft, a boiler, a pressure vessel, compressed air or steam machine, even a conduit and a pipeline.

  2.15 Work
  Inspections, repairs, adjustments, maintenance or cleaning.
  2.16 Operator:
  The person directly responsible for the equipment.
  2.17 Lockout card:  (Appendix C)
  A card indicating the procedure to be followed to lock out equipment.  Each time it is used and equipment is locked out, the person responsible for the lockout signs the card and indicates the date of the lockout.
3. RESPONSIBILITIES
  3.1 Management:
 
  • Ensure that the lockout procedure is applied and revised periodically.
  • Communicate the information concerning said procedure.
  • Ensure that the equipment can be locked out.
  • Ensure that the lockout material is available at all times.
  • Ensure that those responsible have the knowledge required.
  3.2 Project managers:
 
  • Determine necessary lockout during construction projects.
  • Supply lockout information those concerned.
  • Ensure that the contractors follow the lockout procedures.
  • Develop with the department concerned the lockout cards  and sketches for the new equipment.
  3.3 Supervisor:
 
  • Be responsible for all lockout activities in his department.
  • Ensure the safety of all workers involved in locking out equipment.
  • Ensure that those responsible for the lockout work have the necessar skills to carry out their duties.
  • Ensure that the workers know and apply the procedure.
  • Ensure that all workers involved have placed their locks.
  3.4 Person in charge of the lockout
 
  • Determine the components to be locked out and the procedure for doing so, in cooperation with the service or department concerned.
  • Ensure that the lockout procedure is applied
  • Ensure that the work can be carried out safely.  To this end, the person in charge of the lockout ensures that the  lockout is completed before beginning the work.
  • Return the lockout card to the department concerned when the work is completed.
  • If the work is not completed by the end of the  shift, the person responsible for the lockout asks the workers to  remove their personal locks so he can place the departmental locks. The person in charge of the lockout writes the necessary information on the instruction labels of the departmental locks.
  3.5 Worker:
 
  • Ensure his own safety at all times while working.
  • Follow the proper lockout procedure.
  • Ensure that the lockout cards and sketches, as well as the key of the departmental locks are in the lockout box.
  • Place his lock according to the lockout procedure.
  • Remove his lock when the work is completed.
  • If the work is not completed, the worker must inform  the person in charge of the lockout, at the end of his shift, that he will remove his personal lock and replace it with the departmental lock.
  • At all times, the worker is responsible for the keys of the locks used.
  3.6 Contractor:
  When a contractor is involved in a job, he assumes responsibility for the lockout.  As such, he reports to the Project Manager or to the department.
  3.7 Department:
  Submit any change to the procedure to the Lockout Committee.
  3.8 Lockout Committee:
  The committee can follow-up the procedure to ensure it is enforced and, if it deems appropriate, can make recommendations to the Director of the Physical Resources Service.  The Committee can consider and reply to any request to amend the procedure.  The Committee can also submit an annual report to the Occupational Health and Safety Sectorial Committee (Protection and Physical Resources Services).
4. WORK PROCEDURE
  4.1 Chronological procedure for single lockout:
 
  • This procedure applies when there is only one lockout site.
  • If the worker deems it necessary, another tradesperson is called in to help carry out the lockout procedure.
  • The worker checks the number and the description of the equipment and then attaches his or her personal lock as well as the instruction label.
  • Before beginning his work, the worker must release all energy stored in a pneumatic, mechanical or hydraulic system.
  • The worker returns to the machine or equipment and tries to start it, ensuring that the power source has indeed been disconnected and that all energy has been released.
  • The worker carries out his job.
  • When the work is finished, the worker must ensure that the site is clean and safe, that no one else is on the site, that the equipment or machine is safe, and that the barriers have been put in place.
  • The worker asks the operator to start the machine or he starts it himself, as the case may be.
  4.2 Procedure for multiple lockout:
 
  • The person in charge of the lockout obtains the lockout cards from the department.
  • If the lockout card must be changed before the work is carried out, the person in charge of the lockout makes the necessary changes and signs the card.
  • The person in charge of the lockout follows the instructions on the lockout card, using the lockout box and the departmental locks.
  • Once the lockout is completed, the person in charge of the lockout places an instruction label on the equipment or power source that was locked out.
  • This person also signs and dates the lockout card, thus authorizing the workers to carry out the work, places the keys from all the departmental locks in the lockout box and attaches a departmental lock and an instruction label to the equipment.
  • The lockout box is placed in the predetermined lockout area.
  • Each worker directly involved reads the lockout card and, if he judges it to be satisfactory for his own safety, attaches his personal lock to the lockout box.  In case of a reasonable doubt, any worker must personally check the locked out (sealed) articles, before placing his lock on the lockout box.
  • The person in charge of the lockout is the last to remove his lock or the departmental lock, after checking that the workers have completed their job and have removed their individual locks.
  • Removing the locks can be carried out under the responsibility of any person having the knowledge necessary.
  • When all the locks have been removed, the lockout card is returned to the head or his representative of the department concerned, indicating that the work is completed.
  4.3 Valve lockout procedure:
 
  • To lock out pressurized systems  (steam, hot liquid, chemical products):
  • The worker notes the valve number.
  • The worker asks the operator in charge to close the manual valve.
  • The worker checks  the valve number, places his or her personal lock on the valve (a chain or a valve cover is available for this purpose), and then attaches an instruction label.
  • Any conduit, pipe or pipeline containing potentially hazardous products should be blanked and locked out.
  • The worker opens the automatic and/or depressurization valve, if any, to check whether the line is depressurized.  He may ask the operator in charge to help.
  • Before carrying out his job, the worker checks that the pipe, pipeline or the piece of equipment is empty and clean.
  • The worker carries out his work.
  • After completing his work, the worker removes his lock from the manual valve and the piece of equipment blanking the pipeline.
  • The worker advises the asks the operator in charge:
  1. to open and/or close any valves.
  2. to open the manual valve.
5. FORGETTING TO REMOVE A PERSONAL LOCK
   

The worker who forgets to remove his lock is called back, without pay, to remove his lock.  If the worker cannot be reached, the person in charge of the lockout may give the order  to cut the lock, after checking that there is no danger for the worker or machinery.

Within 24 hours, the person in charge must submit a report on explaining the circumstances of such action to the Occupational Health and Safety Office, the Director and the Sectorial Occupational Health and Safety Committee.
6. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES
    Disciplinary measures can be taken against any person who does not respect this lockout procedure, in accordance with Regulation 2d and the collective agreements of the University.
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Last updated: 2010.12.01