When are lockout and tagout procedures necessary?

Lockout and tagout procedures are essential during service and maintenance activities on machinery to ensure safety. These procedures are designed to prevent the accidental energization or startup of machines while they are being serviced. By isolating the machinery from its energy source and clearly indicating that it should not be operated, workers can perform their tasks without the risk of injury from unexpected machine movement or electric shock.

Using lockout and tagout helps to protect personnel from hazardous conditions that could arise if a machine is inadvertently turned on or becomes powered while someone is working on it. This practice is deeply rooted in safety regulations and standards, underscoring its critical importance in maintaining a safe work environment.

While machinery may be operational during normal use, it is during maintenance that these procedures are particularly vital to worker safety. The other scenarios in the question do not require lockout and tagout measures to the same extent, as they either involve routine tasks that do not manipulate machinery or do not pose the same level of risk. Hence, recognizing when to implement these safety procedures is key to ensuring a secure working environment.