November 18, 2013 Lock Out/Tag Out Program Training Changes

Energy sources including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal or other sources in machines and equipment can be hazardous to workers. The unexpected startup or release of stored energy during the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment could cause injury. Proper lockout/tagout (LOTO) practices and procedures safeguard workers from the release of hazardous energy and are found in PUB-3000 Chapter 18 “Lockout/Tagout Program”: http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/pub3000/CH18/CH18.html

PUB-3000 Chapter 18 has recently gone through a major update to clarify many requirements. Here’s a summary of some of the recent changes to LOTO training that EETD personnel should be aware of:

1. Authorized Persons are those who apply their own LOTO lock and tag to energy isolation points in order to control hazardous energies. The EHS0358/EHS359 “Lockout/Tagout” and EHS0258 “Lockout/Tagout Refresher” classes have been replaced with EHS0370 “Lockout/Tagout for Authorized Persons.” This is a classroom-style course that needs to be completed every three years.

2. Supervisors or work leads of Authorized Persons need to complete a new on-line course called EHS0372 “Lockout/Tagout Awareness for Line Managers.”

3. A Responsible Individual (RI) designation has been developed for certain complex Lockout /Tagout procedures. The Responsible Individual must complete EHS0373 “LOTO for Responsible Individual” training. The RI is designated as the person in charge of certain complex LOTO procedures.

4. A Qualified Electrical Worker (QEW) is specifically authorized to work on electrical systems by reason of experience and instruction, installation, maintenance and operation of equipment, installations, and the hazards involved. They must complete EHS0371 “Qualified Electrical Worker Practical”, EHS0380 “Electrical Gloves and Tools” as well as submit a summary of qualifications for EHS Division review and approval.

Make sure you have the proper authorizations and training reflected in your Job Hazards Analysis (JHA). A table is included to assist you in understanding the new JHA training questions. If you need assistance in updating your Job Hazard Analysis or LOTO training requirements, contact the EETD Safety Manager, Ron Scholtz at X8137. The EHS Division on- line training courses and course registration can be access by going to: http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/training/courses.shtml JHA Question Training Courses Questio Triggered n # H-1 Do you use or work with electrically-powered EHS0260 “Electrical Hazards equipment or apparatus OTHER THAN standard and Mitigations” office equipment (e.g., computers, printers, etc.) or equipment commonly used by the public (e.g., vacuum cleaners, desk lamps, space heaters, flashlights or other similar battery-powered devices)? H-4 Does your work cause any part of your body to come EHS0371 “Qualified closer than 3.5 feet to exposed voltages 50V AC or DC Electrical Worker Practical” or greater, with current 5mA or greater, or to capacitors (energy greater than 1 Joule if 50V or EHS0380 “Electrical Gloves greater; 1000 Joules if less than 50V)? This includes and Tools” testing, diagnosing, maintaining, repairing and inspecting of energized apparatus and equipment; Submit Qualification and work on electrical power distribution systems. Summary to EHS Division This also includes verification of zero electrical energy for Lockout/Tagout. H-12 Do you service, build, or modify electrical equipment EHS0260 “Electrical Hazards which is powered by >50 V? and Mitigations” H-21 Do you perform work that requires you to apply EHS0370 “LOTO for personal LOTO to equipment, follow a LOTO Authorized Persons” procedure, or otherwise participate as a LOTO Authorized Person? H-22 Do you supervise employees that perform LOTO as EHS0372 “LOTO Awareness part of their duties? for Line Managers” H-23 Do you supervise the actual execution of LOTO as a EHS373 “LOTO for Responsible Individual (RI)? Note: An RI is required Responsible Persons” for group LOTO using a lockbox, shift changes, temporary partial restoration, tagout-only, and Subcontractor LOTO Permits.