While any employee is exposed to contact with parts of fixed
electric equipment or circuits which have been deenergized, you must lock out
or tag (or both) the circuits energizing the parts according to the
requirements of this section. You must follow the requirements in the order in
which they are presented (i.e., (b)(i) of this subsection first, then (b)(ii)
of this subsection.
Note 1: As used in this section, fixed equipment refers to
equipment fastened in place or connected by permanent wiring methods.
2. The procedures also incorporate the
requirements of (b)(iii)(D) and (b)(iv)(B) of this subsection.
(i)
Procedures. You must
maintain a written copy of the procedures outlined in (b) of this subsection
and you must make it available for inspection by employees and by the director
and their authorized representatives.
Note: The written procedures may be in the form of a copy of
subsection (2) of this section.
(ii)
Deenergizing equipment.
(A) You must determine safe procedures for
deenergizing circuits and equipment before circuits or equipment are
deenergized.
(B) You must
disconnect the circuits and equipment to be worked on from all electric energy
sources. You must not use control circuit devices, such as push buttons,
selector switches, and interlocks, as the sole means for deenergizing circuits
or equipment. You must not use interlocks for electric equipment as a
substitute for lockout and tagging procedures.
(C) You must release stored electric energy
which might endanger personnel. You must discharge capacitors and you must
short-circuit and ground high capacitance elements, if the stored electric
energy might endanger personnel.
Note: If the capacitors or associated equipment are handled
in meeting this requirement, you must treat them as energized.
(D) You must block stored nonelectrical
energy in devices that could reenergize electric circuit parts or relieve it to
the extent that the circuit parts could not be accidentally energized by the
device.
(iii)
Application of locks and tags.
(A) You must place a lock and a tag on each
disconnecting means used to deenergize circuits and equipment on which work is
to be performed, except as provided in subitems (C) and (E) of this item. You
must attach the lock to prevent persons from operating the disconnecting means
unless they resort to undue force or the use of tools.
(B) Each tag must contain a statement
prohibiting unauthorized operation of the disconnecting means and removal of
the tag.
(C) If a lock cannot be
applied, or if the employer can demonstrate that tagging procedures will
provide a level of safety equivalent to that obtained by the use of a lock, a
tag may be used without a lock.
(D)
You must supplement a tag used without a lock, as permitted by subitem (C) of
this item, by at least one additional safety measure that provides a level of
safety equivalent to that obtained by the use of a lock. Examples of additional
safety measures include the removal of an isolating circuit element, blocking
of a controlling switch, or opening of an extra disconnecting device.
(E) A lock may be placed without a tag only
under the following conditions:
(I) Only one
circuit or piece of equipment is deenergized; and
(II) The lockout period does not extend
beyond the work shift; and
(III)
Employees exposed to the hazards associated with reenergizing the circuit or
equipment are familiar with this procedure.
(iv)
Verification of deenergized
condition. You must meet the requirements of this subsection before any
circuits or equipment can be considered and worked as deenergized.
(A) A qualified person must operate the
equipment operating controls or otherwise verify that the equipment cannot be
restarted.
(B) A qualified person
must use test equipment to test the circuit elements and electrical parts of
equipment to which employees will be exposed and must verify that the circuit
elements and equipment parts are deenergized. The test must also determine if
any energized condition exists as a result of inadvertently induced voltage or
unrelated voltage backfeed even though specific parts of the circuit have been
deenergized and presumed to be safe. If the circuit to be tested is over 600
volts, nominal, the test equipment must be checked for proper operation
immediately before and immediately after this test.
(v)
Reenergizing equipment. You
must meet these requirements, in the order given, before circuits or equipment
are reenergized, even temporarily.
(A) A
qualified person must conduct tests and visual inspections, as necessary, to
verify that all tools, electrical jumpers, shorts, grounds, and other such
devices have been removed, so that the circuits and equipment can be safely
energized.
(B) You must warn
employees exposed to the hazards associated with reenergizing the circuit or
equipment to stay clear of circuits and equipment.
(C) Each lock and tag must be removed by the
employee who applied it or under their direct supervision. However, if this
employee is absent from the workplace, then the lock or tag may be removed by a
qualified person designated to perform this task provided that:
(I) The employer ensures that the employee
who applied the lock or tag is not available at the workplace; and
(II) The employer ensures that the employee
is aware that the lock or tag has been removed before he or she resumes work at
that workplace.
(D) You
must provide a visual determination that all employees are clear of the
circuits and equipment.
