OSHA OSHA - Safety Certificate Lockout/Tagout Procedures Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedure?
- To prevent the unexpected startup of machinery during maintenance (Correct answer)
- To label equipment for inventory purposes
- To schedule routine equipment inspections
- To track employee work hours on machinery
Correct answer: To prevent the unexpected startup of machinery during maintenance
LOTO procedures are designed to protect workers by ensuring machines cannot be energized or started while maintenance or servicing is being performed.
Question 2: Who is classified as an 'affected employee' under OSHA's LOTO standard?
- An employee whose job requires operating a machine under lockout (Correct answer)
- An employee who performs the lockout procedure
- An employee who supervises the maintenance crew
- An employee who orders replacement parts for the machine
Correct answer: An employee whose job requires operating a machine under lockout
An affected employee is one whose job requires them to operate or use a machine on which servicing or maintenance is being performed under lockout/tagout.
Question 3: How often does OSHA require periodic inspections of energy control procedures?
- At least annually (Correct answer)
- Every six months
- Every two years
- Only after an incident occurs
Correct answer: At least annually
OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.147 requires that energy control procedures be inspected at least annually to ensure they remain effective.
Question 4: Which of the following energy sources must be considered during a lockout/tagout procedure?
- All forms of hazardous energy including electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and thermal (Correct answer)
- Only electrical energy since it poses the greatest risk
- Only mechanical and electrical energy sources
- Only the primary power source connected to the main breaker
Correct answer: All forms of hazardous energy including electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and thermal
LOTO procedures must address all sources of hazardous energy, including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, and gravitational.
Question 5: What must an authorized employee do after applying lockout/tagout devices but before beginning maintenance work?
- Verify that the equipment has been effectively isolated and de-energized (Correct answer)
- Immediately begin the maintenance task to minimize downtime
- Notify the equipment manufacturer of the shutdown
- File a written report with OSHA documenting the lockout
Correct answer: Verify that the equipment has been effectively isolated and de-energized
After applying LOTO devices, the authorized employee must verify isolation by attempting to start the equipment or testing for residual energy to confirm it is de-energized.
Question 6: Under what condition may an employer use a tagout system instead of a lockout system?
- When the energy-isolating device is not capable of being locked out and the employer can demonstrate full employee protection (Correct answer)
- When the employer determines that tags are less expensive than locks
- When employees have fewer than five years of experience with the equipment
- When the machinery is used only during daytime shifts
Correct answer: When the energy-isolating device is not capable of being locked out and the employer can demonstrate full employee protection
Tagout may be used in place of lockout only when the energy-isolating device cannot be locked out and the employer demonstrates that the tagout program provides equivalent protection.
OSHA OSHA - Safety Certificate Lockout/Tagout Procedures Questions and Answers 2
What is the primary purpose of a lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedure?