ESC Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147, which term describes the placement of a lockout device on an energy-isolating device to ensure the equipment cannot be energized?
- Tagout
- Lockout (Correct answer)
- Blanking
- Blocking
Correct answer: Lockout
Lockout is the placement of a lockout device on an energy-isolating device so the machine or equipment cannot be energized until the lockout device is removed.
Question 2: Before performing lockout/tagout, an authorized employee must first notify which group of people?
- Only the supervisor
- Only other authorized employees
- All affected employees (Correct answer)
- The facility safety officer only
Correct answer: All affected employees
OSHA requires that all affected employees be notified before applying lockout or tagout devices to equipment.
Question 3: Which step in the LOTO sequence involves verifying that the equipment has been successfully de-energized after isolation?
- Release of stored energy
- Isolation
- Verification (Correct answer)
- Notification
Correct answer: Verification
Verification is the step where the authorized employee tests the equipment to confirm it is de-energized before beginning work.
Question 4: When multiple workers are servicing the same piece of equipment, which LOTO method must be used?
- A single lock applied by the supervisor
- Group lockout using a hasp with individual locks from each worker (Correct answer)
- One tagout device signed by all workers
- Sequential lockout by seniority
Correct answer: Group lockout using a hasp with individual locks from each worker
Group lockout requires a hasp that allows each authorized worker to apply their own personal lock, ensuring no single person can re-energize until all workers remove their locks.
Question 5: Under OSHA's Control of Hazardous Energy standard, how often must LOTO procedures be reviewed?
- Monthly
- Quarterly
- Annually (Correct answer)
- Every three years
Correct answer: Annually
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 requires that energy control procedures be reviewed at least annually to ensure they are being implemented properly.
Question 6: What is the correct order of the first three steps in a lockout/tagout procedure?
- Isolate → Notify → Shut down
- Notify → Shut down → Isolate (Correct answer)
- Shut down → Isolate → Release stored energy
- Release stored energy → Shut down → Notify
Correct answer: Notify → Shut down → Isolate
The correct LOTO sequence begins with notifying affected employees, then shutting down the equipment, then isolating energy sources.
Question 7: A tagout device differs from a lockout device primarily because a tagout device:
- Physically prevents operation of the energy-isolating device
- Only provides a warning and does not physically prevent energization (Correct answer)
- Is approved for use on all energy-isolating devices
- Must be used only by supervisors
Correct answer: Only provides a warning and does not physically prevent energization
A tagout device is a warning tag attached to an energy-isolating device to indicate it must not be operated, but it does not physically prevent re-energization like a lock does.
ESC Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedures 1
According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147, which term describes the placement of a lockout device on an energy-isolating device to ensure the equipment cannot be energized?