Most facilities that we visit have a general plant lockout policy. Having that facility lockout program is a requirement in the Manitoba Safety and Health Regulations.  Companies that excel in machine lockout not only have a general plant policy, but also annual employee training and machine specific lockout procedures for every piece of equipment. Machine specific lockout procedures are step by step instructions on how to lock out and verify that particular machine.

Machine Specific Lockout Procedures exist because every piece of equipment is different.  Operators, Maintenance and other workers that interact with the equipment need to know step by step how to safely isolate energy and prevent machine incidents. 

The procedures should include a diagram showing the location of each lockout point and pictures of how to lockout each energy source. Operators should be trained on the specific lockout procedures for their own equipment and the procedures should be posted at the machine for quick and easy reference.

      The general steps in a lock out procedure should include:

1. Proper shut down of the equipment,
2. Isolate the energy sources,
3. Apply a lock to all energy sources,
4. Relieve any stored energy from the equipment, and
5. Verify that the lock out is effective. 

      Machine specific lock out procedures are beneficial for a number of reasons:

1. Provide visual instruction which is beneficial for all employees but especially for those of whom English is not their first language.
2. Clearly indicate where all lock out points are located.
3.  Describe how to properly verify that the energy is isolated.
4. Ensure that ALL lock out points are addressed. Some machines have multiple energy sources that could be easily missed.

Contact us with any questions about Machine Specific Lockout.