Safety Lockout Tagout (LOTO) is a critical procedure used in various industries to ensure the safety of workers while performing maintenance or repair work on machinery and equipment. The core purpose of LOTO is to prevent the accidental release of hazardous energy while employees are servicing or maintaining equipment. This method is designed to protect workers from unexpected machine start-ups, the release of stored energy, or other dangerous events that can occur if equipment is not properly isolated. This article explores the importance of Safety Lockout Tagout, its procedures, and its benefits in maintaining a safe working environment.

What is Safety Lockout Tagout? Safety Lockout Tagout (LOTO) refers to a set of practices and procedures used to control hazardous energy during maintenance or repair work on machines and equipment. The LOTO process involves two main components: Lockout: Lockout is the use of a lock or other physical means to secure energy-isolating devices, such as electrical switches, valves, or circuit breakers, to prevent the equipment from being powered on or activated during maintenance. Tagout: Tagout involves placing a warning tag on energy-isolating devices, which indicates that the equipment should not be operated until the tag is removed. This serves as a visual warning to other workers in the area that the equipment is being worked on.