Group lockout tagout is a technique used to control hazardous energy sources when a group of employees or contractors are working on a single machine or equipment, and the energy control procedures require the involvement of more than one authorized employee. It is also known as multi-lockout tagout or tag-team lockout/tagout.
In a group lockout/tagout situation, one authorized employee is the lead employee who can assume the overall responsibility and is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the energy control procedures. The lead employee communicates the energy control procedures to all affected employees and ensures that each employee follows the procedures before starting work on the machine or equipment.
Each authorized employee involved in the group lockout/tagout process applies their own lockout/tagout device to the energy-isolating device of the machine or equipment being serviced or maintained. The lead employee then applies a group lockout/tagout device to lock or tag out the energy-isolating device, preventing anyone from restarting the machine or equipment until all the individual lockout/tagout devices have been removed.
Before removing the group lockout/tagout device, the lead employee must ensure all work has been completed and all tools and equipment removed from the machine or equipment. Each authorized employee then removes their individual lockout/tagout device, and the machine or equipment is ready to be restarted.
The use of group lockout/tagout can help ensure that all employees involved in servicing or maintaining a machine or equipment are protected from the unexpected release of hazardous energy. However, it requires careful coordination and communication to ensure that all employees follow the energy control procedures and that the machine or equipment is safely locked out or tagged out.
Why is Group lockout/tagout important?
Group lockout/tagout is an important technique for controlling hazardous energy sources when multiple employees or contractors work on a single machine or equipment. Here are some reasons why group lockout/tagout is important:
Ensuring employee safety: Group lockout/tagout protects employees from the hazards of uncontrolled energy sources during servicing and maintenance activities. In addition, requiring multiple authorized employees in the energy control procedures helps ensure that all employees working on the machine or equipment are aware of the hazardous energy sources and the necessary steps to control them.
Compliance with OSHA regulations: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to use lockout/tagout procedures to control hazardous energy sources during servicing and maintenance activities. By using group lockout/tagout, employers can ensure they comply with OSHA's requirements.
Minimizing errors: When multiple employees or contractors work on a single machine or equipment, communication errors or misunderstandings can increase. Group lockout/tagout can help minimize errors by requiring clear communication and coordination between authorized employees during the energy control procedures.
Efficiency: Group lockout/tagout can be more efficient than individual lockout/tagout procedures when multiple employees work on the same machine or equipment. By coordinating the energy control procedures and using a group lockout/tagout device, the time required to lock out or tag out the energy-isolating device can be reduced.
Overall, group lockout/tagout is important for protecting employees from the hazards of uncontrolled energy sources during servicing and maintenance activities. In addition, it helps ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, minimizes errors, and can be more efficient when multiple employees work on the same machine or equipment.
Group Lockout Tagout Procedures
Group lockout/tagout procedures are similar to individual lockout/tagout procedures but involve coordination and communication between multiple authorized employees. Here are the general steps involved in a group lockout/tagout procedure:
Identify the equipment to be serviced or maintained and the energy sources that need to be controlled. Determine the scope of work and the number of employees or contractors involved.
Select a lead authorized employee in charge who will be responsible for coordinating the energy control procedures and overseeing the work. The lead employee should know the equipment and energy sources involved and have the authority to enforce the lockout/tagout procedures.
Notify all affected employees and contractors that a group lockout/tagout procedure will be implemented. Explain the energy control procedures and each employee's role in the process.
Shut down the equipment using the normal operating controls. Then, follow the manufacturer's instructions or standard operating procedures to ensure the equipment is shut down safely.
Isolate the energy sources using lockout/tagout devices on the energy-isolating devices, such as circuit breakers, valves, and switches. Then, each authorized employee involved in the group lockout/tagout process applies their own lockout/tagout device to the energy-isolating device.
The lead employee then applies a group lockout/tagout device to lock or tag out the energy-isolating device. This device should clearly indicate that the equipment cannot be operated until all individual lockout/tagout devices have been removed.
Verify that the equipment is in a zero-energy state. Test the equipment to ensure no residual energy or pressure in the system.
Conduct the required servicing or maintenance work in progress. Ensure that all tools and equipment have been removed before proceeding.
When the work is completed, each authorized employee involved in the group lockout/tagout process removes their individual lockout/tagout device.
The lead employee verifies that all lockout/tagout devices have been removed and that the equipment is ready to operate.
The lead employee removes the group lockout/tagout device and restores the equipment to operation.
It's important to note that these steps are general guidelines, and the specific procedures may vary depending on the equipment and energy sources involved. Always follow the energy control procedures and ensure that all authorized employees involved in the group lockout/tagout process are aware of the steps required to perform the work safely.
When to Remove the Group Lockout/Tagout
Removing a group lockout/tagout device should only be done by the authorized employee who applied it and only after ensuring that all work has been completed, all tools and equipment have been removed, and the machine or equipment is in a safe condition to operate. Here are the steps for removing a group lockout/tagout device:
The lead employee should ensure that all employees involved in the group lockout/tagout process have completed their work and removed their individual lockout/tagout devices.
The lead employee should conduct a final inspection of the machine or equipment to ensure that all tools and equipment have been removed and that the machine or equipment is operating safely.
The lead employee should remove the group lockout/tagout device by using their own key or combination to unlock it.
Once the group lockout/tagout device has been removed, the machine or equipment can be safely restarted.
It's important to remember that removing a personal lockout or tagout device without following the proper procedures can result in serious injury or death due to the unexpected release of hazardous energy. Therefore, always follow the energy control procedures and ensure that all authorized employees involved in the group lockout/tagout process know the steps required to remove the lockout/tagout devices safely.
_1547716275.jpg)
