WPR Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedures

Question 1

Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147, what is the primary purpose of a Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) program?

Accepted Answer

To control hazardous energy during servicing and maintenance of machinery

Answer

To document all energy sources present at a facility

Answer

To assign responsibility for equipment inspections to authorized employees

Answer

To establish a permit system for all maintenance activities

Question 2

Who is classified as an 'authorized employee' under a Lockout/Tagout program?

Accepted Answer

An employee who locks out or tags out machines to perform service or maintenance

Answer

Any employee who works in the vicinity of machinery being serviced

Answer

A supervisor who oversees all maintenance activities on site

Answer

An employee who has completed a general safety orientation course

Question 3

As a Work Permit Receiver, what must you verify BEFORE allowing work to begin under a LOTO-related permit?

Accepted Answer

That all energy isolation devices are properly locked and/or tagged out

Answer

That the equipment has been inspected within the last 30 days

Answer

That all affected employees have signed the work permit

Answer

That a written risk assessment has been submitted to management

Question 4

What is 'stored energy' in the context of Lockout/Tagout, and why is it a concern?

Accepted Answer

Residual energy such as compressed springs, pressurized fluids, or capacitor charge that can cause injury after isolation

Answer

Electrical energy stored in a facility's backup generator that can power equipment remotely

Answer

Energy documented in equipment maintenance manuals as a theoretical hazard

Answer

Chemical potential energy stored in raw materials used during production

Question 5

When is tagout alone acceptable instead of lockout under OSHA 1910.147?

Accepted Answer

Only when the energy isolation device cannot accept a lock and the employer demonstrates equivalent protection

Answer

Whenever the work is expected to be completed in less than one hour

Answer

When the energy control program has been in place for more than five years

Answer

When all workers in the area verbally agree that the equipment is isolated

Question 6

How many locks should be applied to a single lockout device when multiple authorized employees are working on the same piece of equipment?

Accepted Answer

One lock for each authorized employee performing work on the equipment

Answer

One lock applied by the lead authorized employee on behalf of the entire crew

Answer

One lock per crew, applied by the supervisor overseeing the job

Answer

Two locks minimum regardless of the number of employees involved

Question 7

What step must be taken to verify that a machine is in a zero-energy state before work begins?

Accepted Answer

Attempt to operate or activate the equipment after lockout/tagout has been applied

Answer

Review the last maintenance log entry to confirm energy was isolated previously

Answer

Ask the equipment operator whether the machine has been shut down

Answer

Check that the main electrical panel's circuit breaker indicator shows 'off'