In industrial and manufacturing environments, worker safety is the foundation of operational excellence. Among the various safety management systems, the Safety Lockout Tagout (LOTO) procedure stands out as one of the most critical mechanisms for preventing workplace accidents. LOTO refers to a systematic process that ensures energy sources are properly isolated and rendered inoperative before any maintenance or repair work begins. The goal is to protect employees from unexpected machine start-ups or the release of stored energy that could lead to severe injuries or fatalities.

The core of the Safety Lockout Tagout system lies in energy control. Machines and equipment often contain multiple sources of hazardous energy—electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, or thermal. Without proper control, even a small residual charge can pose significant risks. LOTO provides a structured approach to identify, isolate, and secure these energy sources, ensuring complete de-energization before any maintenance task is performed. In this process, “lockout” refers to physically locking the energy-isolating device with a padlock or similar device, while “tagout” involves attaching a warning tag that clearly communicates that the equipment must not be operated.