CONTROL OF

HAZARDOUS ENERGIES
GROUP 1
HAZARDOUS ENERGY

• Hazardous energy is defined: "any electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical,

nuclear, thermal, gravitational, or other energy that can harm personnel”. Some energy
sources are obvious, such as electricity, heat in a furnace, or something that might fall.
Others may be hidden hazards such as air pressure in a system or a tightly wound spring.
TYPES OF HAZARDOUS ENERGY

• Electrical energy is the most common form of energy used in workplaces. It can be
available live through power lines or it can also be stored, for example, in batteries or
capacitors.
• Hydraulic potential energy is the energy stored within a pressurized liquid. When
under pressure, the fluid can be used to move heavy objects, machinery, or equipment.
• Pneumatic potential energy is the energy stored within pressurized air. Like
hydraulic energy, when under pressure, air can be used to move heavy objects and power
equipment.
TYPES OF HAZARDOUS ENERGY

• Chemical energy is the energy released when a substance undergoes a chemical

reaction. The energy is normally released as heat, but could be released in other forms,
such as pressure.
• Thermal energy is energy from an explosion, flame, objects with high or low
temperatures or radiation from heat sources.
• Radiation energy is energy related to ionizing, low-frequency electromagnetic, optical,
or radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation.
TYPES OF HAZARDOUS ENERGY

• Gravitational potential energy is the energy related to the mass of an object and its
distance from the earth (or ground). The heavier an object is, and the further it is from
the ground, the greater its gravitational potential energy.
• Mechanical energy is the energy contained in an item under tension.
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF HAZARDOUS ENERGY

• Workers servicing or maintaining machines or equipment may be seriously injured or

killed if hazardous energy is not properly controlled. Injuries resulting from the failure to
control hazardous energy during maintenance activities can be serious or fatal! Injuries
may include electrocution, burns, crushing, cutting, lacerating, amputating, or fracturing
body parts, and others.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A HAZARDOUS ENERGY
CONTROL PROGRAM?

A hazardous energy control program is used to maintain worker

safety by preventing:
• Unintended release of stored energy.
• Unintended start-up.
• Unintended motion.
• Contact with a hazard when guards are removed or safety devices have
been by-passed or removed.
 PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH HAZARDOUS
ENERGY INCLUDE:

• Accidental start-ups
• Electrical shock
• Release of stored or residual energy
HOW CAN YOU PROTECT WORKERS?

• The lockout/tagout standard establishes the employer’s

responsibility to protect employees from hazardous
energy sources on machines and equipment during
service and maintenance.
LOCKOUT

• A padlock and locking device are used to physically

“hold” an energy control point, such as a switch, lever
or valve handle. This makes it impossible for energy to
be released.
TYPES OF LOCKOUT DEVICES

• Plug Locks
• Ball Valve Lockout
• Gate Valve Lockout
• Group Hasp
• Electrical
• Hydraulic, pneumatic, and other pressurized systems.
TAGOUT

• A written warning that tells operators not to operate a switch,

lever or valve that could release hazardous energy. Tagouts DO
NOT physically prevent someone from releasing potentially
hazardous energy.
EXAMPLES OF TAGS
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CONTROL HAZARDOUS
ENERGY?
• Proper lockout/tagout (LOTO) practices and procedures safeguard workers from
hazardous energy releases.
• Employers are also required to train each worker to ensure that they know, understand,
and are able to follow the applicable provisions of the hazardous energy control
procedures:
• Proper lockout/tagout (LOTO) practices and procedures safeguard
workers from the release of hazardous energy.
• Workers must be trained in the purpose and function of the energy
control program and have the knowledge and skills required for the safe
application, usage and removal of the energy control devices.
• All employees who work in an area where energy control procedure(s)
are utilized need to be instructed in the purpose and use of the energy
control procedure(s), especially prohibition against attempting to restart
or reenergize machines or other equipment that are locked or tagged out.
• All employees who are authorized to lockout machines or equipment and
perform the service and maintenance operations need to be trained in
recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources in the workplace, the
type and magnitude of energy found in the workplace, and the means and
methods of isolating and/or controlling the energy.
• Specific procedures and limitations relating to tagout systems where they
are allowed.
• Retraining of all employees to maintain proficiency or introduce new or
changed control methods.
EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE
“CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS ENERGY” STANDARD

• Establish an energy control program

• Establish energy control procedures for machines and equipment
• Provide employee training
• Conduct periodic inspections or audits of the energy control program