Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) safety is a crucial procedure in industrial environments to ensure the safety and protection of workers during maintenance and repair activities. These procedures are designed to prevent accidental energy releases and protect employees from the dangers of moving machinery, electrical hazards, and other energy sources that could result in serious injuries or fatalities. By adhering to LOTO safety protocols, businesses can create safer working conditions, improve overall employee safety, and comply with various regulations that govern occupational health and safety.

What is LOTO Safety? The term “LOTO” stands for Lockout/Tagout, which refers to the process of locking and tagging machinery or energy-isolating devices to prevent the release of hazardous energy while workers perform maintenance or servicing tasks. This is an essential safety measure, especially in environments where machinery or equipment are regularly operated with powerful energy sources such as electricity, gas, hydraulics, or steam. The main goal of LOTO safety is to ensure that machinery is properly shut off and energy is isolated from the system before maintenance begins. By doing so, it prevents accidental machine startups, releases of hazardous materials, or other potentially deadly situations. Lockout refers to the physical locking of energy-isolating devices to prevent re-energizing, while tagout involves placing warning tags on these devices to alert workers that the equipment is under maintenance and should not be operated.