this is NOT tag out lock out approved holy fuck
Yeah I came here to say that this is a fucking terrifying “LOTO” (and I’m using the term very loosely here) procedure that most likely will eventually kill someone
This isn’t proper lock out, tag out procedure. They forgot the lock part and only have a tag.
I actually knew a guy who died this way at a Caterpillar factory near Peoria, IL. Machine wasn’t properly tagged out/locked out.
RIP Troy Bryner
Update:
Per OSHA Report:
Investigation Nr: 200272276 Event: 04/17/2011 Employee Is Killed When Struck By Closing Lid At approximately 11:00 a.m. on April 17, 2011, Employee #1 performing maintenance on a Dunker quench hardening machine that included the repair of a hydraulic leak. He was working in an area that measured approximately 2 feet wide by 3 foot long by 4 feet deep. Employee #1 locked out the machine’s control panel and made the necessary repairs. After completing the repair work, Employee #1 instructed a coworker to remove the locks in order to verify that there were no leaks. While in the machine, Employee #1 attempted to lower the machines hydraulic cylinder by depressing the “lower press elevator” button. Instead, he depressed the “lower press lid” button. This caused the machines lid to close on Employee #1’s head, killing him. The accident investigation reported that the coworker was working to secure the “lower press lid” cover by chaining it open; however, was not able to secure it in time due to the untimely depression of its activation button.
So, not exactly a failure to lock/out, but certainly an example of how important it is to take those types of procedures seriously. Always, good to know what actually happened.
Should we lock & tag out the circuit?
Nah, this shitty sign should keep us safe.
why aren’t they doing lockout tagout?
There is always a way to disable a machine. The button has power. At the very least, the power to that button should be locked out. If it has to happen at the breaker, so be it.
I’m only replying for visibility at this point because of the upvotes and the dangerous scenarios that are being promoted with this advice. Breaker with LOTO would be more acceptable but even then I wouldn’t trust it. People have been killed because something was wired up wrong and circuits were accidentally connected (meaning breakers off but currents still going from a connection down the line to another breaker, it can appear that the circuit is dead until a switch is flipped sending current and happens in home lighting constantly). Also, someone can simply plug the device into another outlet leaving them with a death on their hands.
I know it’s dramatic and these are just comments, but something like this could save or take a life. I’ve seen too many workplace accidents and refuse to work in unsafe conditions or environments anymore even if it costs me the job. Last unsafe worksite I was in, nearly all of the workers walked out together when we arrived in the morning to start at a new site and saw what the project manager had in store for us (probably helped that the owner was hated and payroll had been getting screwed up for weeks). I’ll never forget that day and still keep in contact with most of them. We are all waiting and scared for the day a mass casualty is reported from the shitty work they were trying to make us do (some did report it to the authorities, but never heard what came of those reports).
