What is the primary responsibility of employers under the lockout/tagout standard?

The primary responsibility of employers under the lockout/tagout (LOTO) standard is to protect employees from hazardous energy sources during service and maintenance activities. This involves implementing comprehensive procedures to ensure that all potentially harmful energy sources—such as electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic energy—are effectively controlled or disabled before any maintenance or servicing can take place. By safeguarding workers against the accidental release of such energy, employers significantly reduce the risk of injury or fatality in the workplace.

Effective lockout/tagout practices entail training employees on proper procedures, ensuring that energy control devices like locks and tags are used appropriately, and maintaining written procedures and documentation. This responsibility is critical because it directly impacts employee safety and health, serving as a foundational aspect of a safe working environment.

In contrast, while protecting employees from work-related accidents and ensuring operational equipment are important, they are more general safety practices that do not specifically address the risks associated with hazardous energy. Providing personal protective equipment is also essential for worker safety but does not replace the need for lockout/tagout procedures, which focus specifically on controlling hazardous energy during maintenance operations.