What is the purpose of lockout/tagout procedures around equipment during maintenance?

• A. To prevent unauthorized access to the equipment
• B. To prevent accidental startup or energization and protect workers from injury during service or repair
• C. To improve calibration accuracy
• D. To extend machine life

Answer: (B)

Lockout/tagout is about controlling hazardous energy so maintenance workers aren’t injured while servicing equipment. When a machine is being serviced, it can be energized from electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical sources, and stored energy can surge or release unexpectedly. Lockout devices physically prevent the energy source from being turned back on, while tagout letters a warning that maintenance is in progress and identifies who applied the control. This combination ensures the equipment stays safely de-energized until the work is finished and the worker has verified it’s safe to re-energize.

This isn’t mainly about preventing unauthorized access, calibrating accuracy, or extending machine life. Those are different concerns. The priority here is worker safety during maintenance by eliminating the risk of unexpected startup or energy release.