What is a primary hazard that LOTO aims to prevent?

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) is a crucial safety procedure designed to protect workers from the unexpected release of hazardous energy during maintenance or servicing of machinery and equipment. When machinery is serviced or maintained, there is a risk that stored energy—whether mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, or even gravitational—could be unexpectedly released. Such releases can lead to serious injuries or fatalities.

The LOTO procedure involves isolating the energy sources, locking them out with a physical device, and tagging them to inform others that the machine is not to be operated until the proper safety measures are removed. This method ensures that the equipment remains inoperable while a worker is performing necessary maintenance, significantly reducing the risk of accidents related to the uncontrolled release of energy.

While exposure to hazardous chemicals, slips and falls, and inadequate safety training are all important safety concerns in the workplace, they are not the primary focus of LOTO practices. LOTO primarily aims to mitigate risks specifically associated with the accidental release of hazardous energy during machinery maintenance.