This procedure is one of the most important. By implementing it, this procedure is aimed at the safety of employees who have to perform maintenance, repair or unblocking work in a so-called hazardous work area. This is as much in a hazardous area of a machine where workers may be exposed to certain types of hazards.
The hazards maybe electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic in nature. This type of work may involve certain types of hazards:
(1) The sudden release or activation of a hydraulic or pneumatic system. This type of incident may result in crushing or even the death of a worker.
(2) Direct contact with a live electrical wire or conduit. Electric shocks are frequently encountered.
(3) The accidental draining of a very hot or very cold or liquid granular substance in the area where the employee performs the work.
The legislator, through the Health and Safety Regulations, has well-defined requirements.
In Section XXI – Machinery – Regulation respecting occupational health and safety [S-2.1, r.19.01], the following requirements are set out
In particular, some articles mention the following requirements.
Section 185:
Before undertaking any maintenance, repair or unblocking work in the danger zone of a machine, the following safety measures must be taken, subject to the provisions of Article 186:
1° machine’s control device must be brought to the stop position;
2° the complete stoppage of the machine;
3. the locking (interlocking of energy sources), by each person exposed to danger, of all the energy sources of the machinery, in such a way as to prevent any accidental starting of the machinery while work is being carried out.
Article 186:
Where a worker must have access to the danger zone of machinery for the purposes of adjustment, unblocking, maintenance, training or repairs, including the detection of operating anomalies, and where, to do so, he must move or remove a guard or neutralize a protective device, it must be possible to start the machinery only by means of a manual control mode or in accordance with a safety procedure specifically provided to allow such access. This manual control mode or procedure must have the following characteristics:
(1) it renders inoperative, as the case may be, any other control mode or procedure;
(2) it allows the dangerous parts of the machinery to operate only by means of a control device requiring continuous action or a two-hand control device;
(3) it permits the operation of those dangerous parts only under conditions of increased safety, for example, at reduced speed, with reduced force, in steps or in jerks.
Some basic principles relating to the interlocking of energy sources.
1. Identify the equipment you have to work on; If you have any doubts, revalidate them with your higher authorities.
2. Identify the sources of energy that may pose a danger (electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical);
3. Review the energy source interlocking procedures specific to the equipment you are working on;
4. Lock and label all energy control sources;
5. heck the condition of the equipment to ensure that it is in a zero-energy state;
6. Carry out the work;
For steps 1 to 6, in some cases, a Lockout Sheet may be available. Not only will this card have been developed and approved on the equipment, you will be working on. This sheet will also have to mention step by step, not only the energies to be neutralized, but also the lockout tools you will need to do your work. All workers must follow each step on this sheet to the letter.
7. Once the work is completed, check the safety of the premises and remove safety devices and return the equipment to serviceable condition.
In Step 7, when the work is done, this same lockout or unlocking sheets will guide you to restart the equipment you are working on.
NOTE (1):
When performing lockout or de-locking work, the persons who will be performing this work must always notify all persons directly involved in the work being performed. This will eliminate some unpleasant surprises.
NOTE (2):
It is a good work habit to report any abnormal condition that you believe to be a danger to a person in authority.
All maintenance work on equipment must be performed by a minimum of two workers. In such cases, equipment must be locked using a group device and individual padlocks. Work procedures will normally include these steps in the procedure for securely holding the load.
Another very important principle.
Only the person who affixed the padlock can remove it. Each employee concerned must have his or her own personal padlock. The only person authorized to remove someone else’s padlock is the supervisor, after having contacted the employee concerned (who owns the padlock) directly to ensure that he or she is not in a position to compromise his or her safety or health.
In order to ensure complete safety, the supervisor will have to obtain approval for the lockout by hearing the employee’s approval a second time. Thus, in the event of an incident, it will always be possible to demonstrate that there was no danger to anyone.
There is a wide range of padlocking equipment available.
Here is a list of them.
– key Single padlock (CA1X)
– Departmental padlocks (CA1)
– Locks for electrical plugs (CA5 AND CA6)
– A portable locking box (CAEB)
– Padlock for a circuit breaker (CA1C)
– Adjustable locking device for a ball valve (CAV)
– Locking devices for ball valve handles
– Rotary plug devices
– Safety labels (CAET1, CAET2, CAET3, CAET4)
– Hasps (locking pliers) (CA2, CA3)
– Lockout table (lockout station)
– Circuit breaker lockout
– Lockout for solvent valves;
– Electrical circuit breakers
– electric switch
– Lockout for butterfly valves;
– Padlocking application sheet
– Lockout station (CAE3, CAE4)
– Compressible lockout plugs
– Padlocking system kit for meter valves and ball valves;
– Universal wall switch covers (CA7)
– Bags for large electrical connectors, for groups of workers (CAES)
– Dielectric safety padlock (CA1Z)
– Lock for circuit breakers (CAC1, CAC2, CAC3, CAC4, CAC5)
– Lockout control register;
– Lockout tracking log;
– Lockout log;
You can purchase all these products at Sylprotec. You can buy them online or go directly to their store in Saint-Léonard. You will also find personal safety equipment.
Sylvain Patrice f.p.t
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