What must be verified before re-energizing locked out equipment?

Verifying that all employees are safely positioned is a critical step before re-energizing locked-out equipment. This ensures that everyone is at a safe distance from the machinery and that no personnel are in harm’s way when the equipment is powered back on. It is essential for maintaining the safety of workers, as unexpected re-energization can lead to serious injuries or fatalities if someone is still in the vicinity of the equipment.

While removing tools and ensuring the equipment is clean are also important safety measures in the lockout/tagout process, they do not directly address the immediate safety of personnel around the equipment at the time of re-energization. Ensuring that everyone is appropriately positioned gives a clear signal that it is safe to proceed. Therefore, confirming all employees are positioned safely is crucial for overall safety protocol in LOTO procedures.