OSHA Lockout/Tagout Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147, what is the primary purpose of a lockout/tagout program?
- To speed up equipment maintenance
- To control hazardous energy during servicing and maintenance (Correct answer)
- To reduce electricity costs
- To track employee work hours
Correct answer: To control hazardous energy during servicing and maintenance
The LOTO standard exists to control the unexpected release of hazardous energy while servicing or maintaining machines.
Question 2: Which employee is authorized to remove a personal lock from a piece of equipment?
- Any coworker on the shift
- The maintenance supervisor at any time
- The authorized employee who applied it (Correct answer)
- The first responder on scene
Correct answer: The authorized employee who applied it
Only the authorized employee who applied a lock may remove it, except under strict documented exceptions.
Question 3: What type of energy is a compressed spring inside a machine an example of?
- Kinetic energy
- Thermal energy
- Stored mechanical energy (Correct answer)
- Radiant energy
Correct answer: Stored mechanical energy
A compressed spring holds stored mechanical energy that must be released or restrained during LOTO.
Question 4: Before beginning lockout, what must an authorized employee do first?
- Notify affected employees the machine will be shut down (Correct answer)
- Remove all machine guards
- Turn the machine to maximum speed
- Skip to applying the lock
Correct answer: Notify affected employees the machine will be shut down
Affected employees must be notified before the equipment is shut down and locked out.
Question 5: A tagout device alone is used instead of a lock. What must the employer ensure?
- Nothing extra is required
- The tag provides protection equivalent to a lockout (Correct answer)
- The machine runs at half power
- The tag is removed each night
Correct answer: The tag provides protection equivalent to a lockout
When only tagout is used, it must provide a level of safety equivalent to that of a lockout program.
Question 6: After applying locks, what step verifies that energy isolation is effective?
- Filling out a timesheet
- Attempting to start the machine using normal controls (Correct answer)
- Painting the lock red
- Calling the manufacturer
Correct answer: Attempting to start the machine using normal controls
Verification includes trying the normal start controls to confirm the machine will not operate before returning controls to off.
Question 7: How often must the LOTO energy control procedures be inspected under OSHA?
- Every five years
- At least annually (Correct answer)
- Only when an accident occurs
- Every ten years
Correct answer: At least annually
OSHA requires a periodic inspection of energy control procedures at least annually.
OSHA Lockout/Tagout Procedures 2
Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147, what is the primary purpose of a lockout/tagout program?