Lockout legislation around the world

 UK

The Electricity at Work regulations 1989 (EAW Regulations) apply to almost all places of work. 
HSG85 is a generic Guidance Document covering safe working practices for work on electrical equipment and is produced to support the Regulations.

Regulation 12

“isolation” means the disconnection and separation of the electrical equipment from every source of electrical energy in such a way that this disconnection and separation is secure.

Regulation 13

Adequate provisions shall be taken to prevent electrical equipment, which has been made dead in order to prevent danger while work is being carried out on or near that equipment, from being electrically charged during that work if danger may thereby arise.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998

Regulation 19

Every employer shall ensure, that where appropriate, work equipment is provided with suitable means to isolate it from all its sources of energy. Every employer shall take appropriate measures to ensure that reconnection of any energy source to work equipment does not expose any person using the equipment to any risk to his health or safety.

BS7671:2018 Requirements for Electrical Installations IET Wiring Regulations 18th Edition

462.3 Devices for isolation shall be designed and/or installed so as to prevent unintentional or inadvertent closure. Achieved by:

- Located within a lockable space or lockable enclosure

- Padlocking

537.2.4   Devices for isolation shall be selected and/or installed so as to prevent unwanted or unintentional closure (see Regulation 462.3). This may be achieved by locating the device in a lockable space or lockable enclosure or by padlocking or by other suitable means.

537.2.5   Provision shall be made for securing off-load isolating devices against unwanted or unintentional opening. This may be achieved, for example, by locating the device in a lockable space or lockable enclosure or by padlocking. Alternatively, the off-load device may be interlocked with a load-breaking one.

 

 EU

CEE89/655 “Council Directive 89/655/EEC of 30 November 1989 concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the use of work equipment by workers at work”.

Article 19 The employer is committed to guarantee the safety and protection of employees and to take the necessary measures to reduce risks to the minimum possible.

Article 46 The employer must ensure that all safety procedures are strictly implemented and regularly reviewed by appropriate means Employees must use all necessary tools to carry out maintenance they are responsible for and to aid them in the case of accident or emergency.

Article 49 When carrying out isolated maintencance, the equipment must be clearly labelled Isolation of equipment from all possible electrical energy sources; lock-out of devices in the ‘off’ position; verification of isolation of all energy sources close to the maintenance area.

 

 USA

OSHA 1910.147 “The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout), Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations”.

1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(B)  Standardized. Lockout and tagout devices shall be standardized within the facility in at least one of the following criteria: Colour; shape; or size; and additionally, in the case of tagout devices, print and format shall be standardized.

1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(C)  Devices must be capable of withstanding the environment to which they are exposed for the maximum time of exposure expected.

1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(C)(1)  Lockout devices shall be substantial enough to prevent removal without the use of excessive force or unusual techniques, such as with the use of bolt cutters or other metal cutting tools.

1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(C)(2)  Tagout devices, including their means of attachment, shall be substantial enough to prevent inadvertent or accidental removal.

1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(C)(2)  Lockout devices and tagout devices shall indicate the identity of the employee applying the device(s).