How to Keep Your Construction Site and Workplace Facility Safe and Secure with Lockouts
Safety and security are of the utmost importance at construction sites and workplace facilities. It’s vitally important to be avoid accidental injuries and fatalities, as well as to be in compliance with OSHA regulations. For these reasons, it’s critical to have the most reliable, durable and re-usable lockout devices to protect electrical boxes, cabinets, and machinery, and prevent dangerous unintentional equipment start-up. Here is an overview of lockout equipment that you can utilize to make your job site or facility safe and secure:
1. Lockout Hasps:
A high-quality lockout hasp is both safe and versatile, allowing you to use one or several padlocks to secure all types of machines, electrical panels, breaker boxes, and other electrical sources. The hasp should exceed OSHA requirements, should not open until every padlock is removed, and must be rugged enough to withstand corrosive and harsh industrial environments. For example, the Danger - Do Not Operate Hasp has a scissor-style closure and is made from high-strength aluminum, while the danger tag alerts workers to a hazardous situation.
2. Plug and Switch Lockouts:
Plug and switch lockouts allow you to use a padlock or lockout hasp with multiple padlocks to lock plugs and wall or machine switches, from 110V to 550V. These devices, such as the Brady Large Electrical Plug Lockout, are essential to prevent the accidental use of a machine or switch and keep plugs and switches from being used until operations can safely resume.
3. Circuit Breaker and Fuse Lockouts:
Circuit breaker lockouts can work on a wide range of breakers, including single and multi-pole breaker configurations. Snap-on and clamp-on breaker lockouts can accommodate almost any situation. There are also options available that eliminate the need for a hasp for a group lockout, can isolate uniquely sized breakers, and secure breaker blockers for irregularly-shaped switches.
4. Valve Lockouts:
Valve lockouts need to be safe, economical, and versatile enough to adapt to a variety of ball valve sizes, such as the Adjustable Valve Lockout. The valve lockout should accommodate either a padlock or a lockout hasp for multiple padlocks, with the ability to lock out every type of valve. A quality valve lockout will ensure that the valve will be closed until operations are authorized to safely resume.
5. Cable Lockouts:
A cable lockout is called for when there is a need to lock out multiple energy controls or valves, disconnect switches, or secure high-risk cabinets. The cable tightens around the controls, clamping securely for affixing padlocks. Any cable lockout should comply fully with or exceed OSHA lockout regulations.
6. Saf-Start Restart Protection:
One of the most critical safety and security devices is a safe start device that prevents the automatic restart of machinery after a power interruption to avoid injuring employees working on or near the site. In order to restore power, the equipment switch must be turned off first and the reset button on the safe start must be depressed.
7. Group Lockout Box:
A group lockout box is a portable metal lock box. It should be made of heavy-duty steel and preferably powder-coated for extra rust-resistance. The Group Lockout Box can accommodate multi-crew or multi-shift work, and each mechanic must apply his or her own personal padlock to the lockbox. This prevents start-up until the last mechanic has removed his padlock from the lid and simplifies the lockout of large equipment.
The safety and security of your job site or workplace facility is only as good as the quality of the devices that are used to protect workers around the site. For more information about lockouts and the very best in workplace safety essentials, visit the Idesco Safety website or call 844-302-9806 today.