What is the purpose of lockout/tagout procedures?

The purpose of lockout/tagout procedures is to ensure that equipment is shut down and inoperable during maintenance or servicing. This is a critical safety practice that protects workers from the unexpected startup of machinery or the release of hazardous energy. By properly implementing lockout/tagout procedures, workers can safely perform their tasks without the risk of injury from equipment inadvertently being activated.

These procedures require that all energy sources to a machine or equipment are identified, controlled, and isolated. Lockout involves physically securing the energy isolation devices in a safe position, while tagging provides visual warnings that the equipment cannot be operated. The successful execution of these procedures protects not only the workers involved in maintenance but also those in the surrounding area from potential hazards.

The other choices address different aspects of safety and equipment handling, but they do not encompass the comprehensive and protective measures that lockout/tagout procedures are designed to provide. For instance, marking faulty equipment is important for identifying issues but does not prevent accidents directly. Preventing unauthorized use of tools enhances security but does not relate to the operational safety of machinery under maintenance. Maintaining machinery efficiency is certainly valuable, but it falls outside the primary safety focus of lockout/tagout, which aims specifically at ensuring a safe working environment during repairs or servicing