ESC Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of stored energy must be released or restrained before work can begin on electrical equipment under LOTO?
- Capacitive energy only
- Inductive energy only
- All forms of stored energy including capacitive, inductive, and gravity-related (Correct answer)
- Only energy in batteries
Correct answer: All forms of stored energy including capacitive, inductive, and gravity-related
All forms of stored or residual energy — including capacitive charge, inductance, spring tension, and gravity — must be relieved or restrained before work begins.
Question 2: Who is defined as an 'authorized employee' under OSHA's lockout/tagout standard?
- Any employee working near the equipment
- A person who locks or tags machines and performs the servicing (Correct answer)
- A manager who approves the LOTO permit
- An employee who has been notified of the LOTO procedure
Correct answer: A person who locks or tags machines and performs the servicing
An authorized employee is the worker who implements the energy control procedure by applying lockout or tagout devices and performs the servicing or maintenance.
Question 3: After completing maintenance work, which step must be completed BEFORE removing lockout devices and restoring energy?
- File the LOTO permit with the safety office
- Ensure all tools are removed and employees are clear of the equipment (Correct answer)
- Test the equipment while locks are still applied
- Replace all warning signs around the area
Correct answer: Ensure all tools are removed and employees are clear of the equipment
Before removing lockout devices, the authorized employee must ensure all tools are removed and all employees are safely positioned away from the equipment.
Question 4: Under what specific condition may a tagout system be used INSTEAD of a lockout system?
- When no lockout devices are available
- When the energy-isolating device is not capable of being locked out (Correct answer)
- When the supervisor determines it is sufficient
- Tagout may always substitute for lockout
Correct answer: When the energy-isolating device is not capable of being locked out
Tagout may be used in place of lockout only when the energy-isolating device is not capable of accepting a lockout device; otherwise lockout is required.
Question 5: What information must be included on a tagout device?
- The employee's name and the date the tag was applied (Correct answer)
- Equipment serial number and voltage level
- Department name and work order number
- Supervisor signature and estimated repair time
Correct answer: The employee's name and the date the tag was applied
OSHA requires tagout devices to identify the authorized employee who applied the tag and the date of application at minimum.
Question 6: Which OSHA standard specifically governs the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) in general industry?
- 29 CFR 1910.132
- 29 CFR 1910.147 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.303
- 29 CFR 1910.269
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.147
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 is the Control of Hazardous Energy standard that establishes lockout/tagout requirements for general industry.
Question 7: When should an employee receive retraining on lockout/tagout procedures?
- Only upon initial hire
- When the annual review is due
- When there is reason to believe the employee does not follow the energy control program correctly (Correct answer)
- Retraining is never mandatory after initial training
Correct answer: When there is reason to believe the employee does not follow the energy control program correctly
OSHA requires retraining whenever there is reason to believe an employee does not have the required knowledge or skills to safely implement the energy control program.
ESC Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedures 2
Which type of stored energy must be released or restrained before work can begin on electrical equipment under LOTO?