What is the risk of bypassing a lockout device?

Bypassing a lockout device significantly heightens the risk of accidents and injuries. Lockout/Tagout procedures are established to ensure that machinery and equipment are completely shut off and unable to be started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or repair work. When a lockout device is bypassed, it removes those safety measures, which can lead to unexpected machine activation.

This can result in serious injuries or even fatalities for employees who may be working on or near the equipment, as they could be caught up in machinery that is suddenly energized. Proper lockout/tagout practices are vital for ensuring worker safety by creating a controlled environment where maintenance can be performed without the danger of equipment inadvertently starting up. Therefore, the act of bypassing these safeguards directly undermines workplace safety protocols.