Industrial Maintenance and Construction/Support Services Safety Manual - Lockout/Tagout Policy

Title

Industrial Maintenance and Construction/Support Services Safety Manual - Lockout/Tagout Policy

Introduction

The goal of the Lockout Tagout Policy is to prevent injuries resulting from failure to use practices and procedures necessary for the control of hazardous energy. It will ensure that machines and equipment are isolated from all potentially hazardous energy sources and are locked out or tagged out before individuals perform any servicing or maintenance work. The Lockout Tagout Policy is administered by the Department of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS).

Regulatory Authority

NC OSHA regulates occupational exposure of employees who are involved in the control of hazardous energy through lockout/tagout activities or whose jobs require them to potentially be exposed to hazardous energy.

Responsibilities

Environment, Health and Safety

EHS assists with the development and review of departmental equipment-specific lockout/tagout procedures and training programs, conducts periodic inspections to verify departmental compliance with the Lockout/Tagout Policy, and updates the policy and program as necessary.

Directors and Department Chairs

Directors or department chairs make necessary provisions, in collaboration with EHS, to ensure employees are protected from all potentially hazardous energy during any servicing or maintenance activity. They provide the resources and personnel necessary to comply with the Lockout/Tagout Policy and Program.

Assistant Directors, Department Managers, Superintendents and Principal Investigators

Assistant Directors, department managers and superintendents determine the applicability of the lockout/tagout program to activities conducted in their areas. They designate individuals responsible for the implementation of the lockout/tagout program and ensure compliance with the program.

Work Unit Supervisors

Work Unit Supervisors are responsible for the implementation of the lockout/tagout policy and program. They develop, enforce and update equipment-specific lockout/tagout procedures. They work in conjunction with other departments to develop lockout/tagout procedures for co-maintained and operated equipment. They ensure all employees involved in lockout/tagout activities have the appropriate level of training. Supervisors evaluate the needs of their areas and equip employees with the materials required to safely perform lockout/tagout. They conduct annual inspections of employees performing lockout/tagout.

Employees

All employees involved in lockout/tagout activities are responsible for understanding and following the requirements of the Lockout/Tagout Program. Employees not involved with the LOTO program must understand that they are not allowed to remove LOTO locks and tags under any circumstances.

Contractors

Contractors performing servicing or maintenance activities must inform UNC of their lockout/tagout procedures. The contractor must work in conjunction with UNC to determine the appropriate joint lockout/tagout procedures. They must ensure their employees understand and comply with all requirements of the approved joint procedures.

Individuals Involved in the Purchase of Energy-Isolating Devices

Individuals involved in the purchase of equipment shall ensure that all new and replacement energy-isolating devices are capable of accepting a lockout device.

Complaint Response

Occasionally employees raise concerns about the potential for exposure to hazardous energy during the servicing and/or maintenance of equipment or machines. Employees are encouraged to call EHS at 919-962-5507 with any concerns about their work areas. The investigation of these concerns is confidential and may be anonymous, if the employee wishes. The investigation includes an inspection of their work areas and an evaluation of their potential exposure.

Resources

  • OSHA Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) Standard. 29 CFR 1910.147, General Industry Standard
    The Lockout Tagout Program outlines in detail how to implement the lockout tagout policy.
  • OSHA Electrical Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Standard. 29 CFR 1910.269, General Industry Standard.
    The 1910.269 standard applies specifically to the UNC-CH Electric Distribution Systems (EDS) Department. EDS has an internal Lockout Tagout Program that addresses their unique hazards and requirements associated with deenergizing lines and equipment.

Contact Information

Policy Contact

Environment, Health and Safety
1120 Estes Drive
Campus Box #1650
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-1650
Phone: 919-962-5507

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Details

Article ID: 131997
Created
Thu 4/8/21 9:21 PM
Modified
Mon 7/4/22 12:37 PM
Responsible Unit
School, Department, or other organizational unit issuing this document.
Environment, Health and Safety
Issuing Officer
Name of the document Issuing Officer. This is the individual whose organizational authority covers the policy scope and who is primarily responsible for the policy.
Issuing Officer Title
Title of the person who is primarily responsible for issuing this policy.
Executive Director
Next Review
Date on which the next document review is due.
03/01/2027 12:00 AM
Last Review
Date on which the most recent document review was completed.
03/30/2022 12:00 AM
Last Revised
Date on which the most recent changes to this document were approved.
01/30/2019 8:13 AM
Effective Date
If the date on which this document became/becomes enforceable differs from the Origination or Last Revision, this attribute reflects the date on which it is/was enforcable.
01/30/2019 8:13 AM
Origination
Date on which the original version of this document was first made official.
05/01/2014 12:00 AM