This month we’re tackling one of the most cited OSHA topics out there — Lockout/Tagout (LOTO). If your company has a program that checks all of the audit boxes, but your employees are still having injuries, this episode explains why.
⚙️ Top 3 LOTO Problems We’re Seeing in the Field
1️⃣ Bad or outdated templates.
If your LOTO template or format is wrong, every single lockout procedure built from it can have problems.
2️⃣ Verification is clear as mud
“Verify” doesn’t mean much if no one knows how, where, or who does it. Joint verification? Remote lockout? Elevated disconnects? If your verification step creates more hazards, your program gaps.
3️⃣ Confusion about when LOTO actually applies.
Some equipment can fall into gray zones where employees “sort of” lock out or skip steps altogether. That’s how culture gaps start. Its important to align your training, your task steps, and your documentation, with a focus on risk reduction, not perceived "faster" ways.
💡 Bonus : Validate Procedures During Retraining
Your annual lockout/tagout retraining is one of the best times to validate your procedures. Walk the floor with your maintenance team, observe how employees actually perform the work, and capture those missed hazards like residual pressure, gravity, or access height risks.
🧰 Why It Matters
You can have a binder full of lockout procedures and still have injuries.
A strong LOTO program isn’t just compliance — it has to be customized for your facility.
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This video is intended for educational purposes. Solutions offered are not designed to take the place of an attorney or medical professional, and should not be taken as legal or medical advice. It is recommended that viewers consult a safety consultant, medical provider or an occupational safety legal team as applicable to help navigate their specific circumstances.
For educational purposes, videos may show the inside of manufacturing facilities, including meat and poultry production facilities, commercial farming, feed milling, and petrochemical facilities. Images shown may depict individual lines and show trained employees working in their daily jobs, however these visuals may not be suitable for all audiences. Specific job tasks shown are being completed by trained professionals, and should not be attempted without proper training and equipment under the supervision of a professional. Viewer discretion is advised.