If you are familiar with manufacturing, you have probably heard the phrase lockout tagout. Lockout tagout is a safety procedure that is designed to ensure that dangerous equipment is properly shut off before maintenance or repair work is started. This method is used in many different industries and is required by law in some countries. Let’s talk about why lockout tagout is so important in manufacturing.
Why is lockout tagout so important in manufacturing
The lockout tagout procedure is pretty simple. It starts by announcing the shut-off. Then the energy sources are identified, isolated, locked, and tagged. Finally, the worker must prove that the equipment isolation is effective.
This procedure is lifesaving. A substantial amount of industrial accidents are related to lockout tagout issues, and accidents tend to occur when this procedure is not taken seriously. In some situations, the lockout tagout procedure is the only safety measure available to the worker, especially if the equipment needs to be powered on for maintenance.
Lockout tagout has other benefits, including protecting equipment from damage and reducing downtime, building trust and confidence with employees, and showing that the management has concern for the safety of the employees.
When this procedure is properly observed, it benefits everyone. Of course, the major benefit is for the employees who are working around the heavy machinery, but the company owners and customers also benefit. Company owners benefit by having long-lasting employees and well-working machinery that will be more productive over time. Customers benefit indirectly, but when there are no accidents in manufacturing, there are also no delays in manufacturing.
Safety in the manufacturing industry is very important, and there are many procedures that promote safety. Lockout tagout is one of those procedures. In some cases, lockout tagout may be the only procedure in place to protect employees. If you are looking to manufacture a product, it’s important to work with a manufacturing company, like Alfred Manufacturing, that puts the safety of its employees and equipment as a priority.