OSHA Lockout/Tagout Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is classified as an 'affected employee' under LOTO?
- An employee who operates the machine but does not service it (Correct answer)
- An electrician performing repairs
- The plant CEO
- A visitor touring the facility
Correct answer: An employee who operates the machine but does not service it
An affected employee operates or works near equipment being serviced but does not perform the lockout themselves.
Question 2: What is required of a lockout device according to OSHA?
- It must be reusable across all machines without a key
- It must be durable, standardized, and substantial (Correct answer)
- It must be made of paper
- It must be shared among workers
Correct answer: It must be durable, standardized, and substantial
Lockout devices must be durable, standardized, substantial, and identifiable to prevent removal without excessive force.
Question 3: During a group lockout, what device is commonly used so each worker can attach a personal lock?
- A single master key
- A lockout hasp (Correct answer)
- A warning cone
- A time clock
Correct answer: A lockout hasp
A group lockout hasp allows multiple authorized employees to each apply their own personal lock to one isolation point.
Question 4: When must stored electrical energy in capacitors be addressed during LOTO?
- Never, capacitors are always safe
- It must be dissipated or restrained before work begins (Correct answer)
- Only after the job is complete
- Only if the machine is over 20 years old
Correct answer: It must be dissipated or restrained before work begins
Stored or residual energy such as that in capacitors must be dissipated or restrained before servicing begins.
Question 5: Which situation is generally EXEMPT from the full LOTO standard?
- Replacing a machine motor
- Minor tool changes during normal production using alternative protection (Correct answer)
- Rebuilding a hydraulic press
- Clearing a jam requiring guard removal
Correct answer: Minor tool changes during normal production using alternative protection
Minor servicing during normal production operations may be exempt if alternative effective protection is provided.
Question 6: What must happen to a shift-change lockout to maintain continuous protection?
- All locks are removed and energy restored
- Incoming employees apply their locks before outgoing employees remove theirs (Correct answer)
- The machine is run briefly between shifts
- Only a supervisor holds one lock overnight
Correct answer: Incoming employees apply their locks before outgoing employees remove theirs
Procedures must ensure continuity so incoming workers apply locks before outgoing workers remove theirs.
Question 7: Who must receive training on the purpose and use of the energy control procedure?
- Only authorized employees
- Authorized, affected, and other employees as appropriate (Correct answer)
- Only new hires
- Only managers
Correct answer: Authorized, affected, and other employees as appropriate
Training must be provided to authorized, affected, and other employees so everyone understands the procedure.
OSHA Lockout/Tagout Procedures 3
Which of the following is classified as an 'affected employee' under LOTO?