An Alternative Method For Loto: A Wake-up Message for Employers or An Ounce of Prevention…

I continue to receive many requests for assistance on matters involving the control of hazardous energy. In too many situations, an employee was injured and OSHA stepped in with significant fines for violations of 29 CFR 1910.147. I’m proud of our record in helping clients litigate citations/violations and/or fulfill obligations under informal or formal OSHA settlement agreements. However, I’m puzzled why companies don’t adequately deal with these issues before the problems occur.

Lockout/tagout (LOTO) has been part of the OSHA’s “Top Ten” violation list for far too long. Confusion abounds around minor servicing vs. service and maintenance tasks that call for LOTO. What’s often missed and not understood is the in-between, where tasks are not minor servicing but LOTO is not feasible. In situations where LOTO is not feasible, an ALTERNATIVE METHOD for LOTO is needed. Without a documented procedure, a serious injury is waiting to occur.

Why wait for an OSHA inspection to occur before taking action? FDR can help with practical real-world solutions. We customize solutions to the specifics of your machines and tasks. Our risk assessment methods and means of determining feasible risk reduction have their foundation in the ANSI voluntary consensus standards recognized by OSHA. These methods are utilized to develop a viable ALTERNATIVE METHOD for LOTO or any task.

Call me… A few minutes of discussion could possibly improve your safety program and LOTO procedures. FDR’s experience and expertise enables “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Jim Stanley is one of the nation’s most respected occupational safety consultants. Former No. 2 at OSHA, former VP of Safety and Health at AK Steel. Leads our Expert Witness and OSHA Compliance programs. FDRsafety offers unparalleled expertise in helping companies fully comply with OSHA requirements and address the current climate of heightened enforcement. For a FREE consultation, please contact us.