What is the purpose of lockout in safety procedures?

The purpose of lockout in safety procedures is to prevent equipment from being set in motion and endangering employees. Lockout is a critical safety practice designed to control hazardous energy during service and maintenance activities. When equipment is being serviced, it is imperative that it cannot be unintentionally started up. By using lockout devices, workers can ensure that machinery and electrical systems remain inactive and cannot be energized until the maintenance is complete and the lockout is removed. This significantly reduces the risk of injury, not just from the machinery starting unexpectedly but also from other hazards related to the system's function, including electrical shock, entrapment, or mechanical movement.

While increasing production, ensuring operational equipment, and facilitating maintenance work are important aspects of overall workplace efficiency, they do not focus on the immediate priority of protecting worker safety, which is the fundamental goal of lockout practices.