The following LOTO procedures must be adhered to when performing maintenance or repair on any appliance or piece of equipment:
- Laboratory staff must always assume that equipment is electrically energized and therefore can pose a hazard until it is taken out of service.
- Lockout is the physical placement of a device on the breaker or the placement of the plug into a canister to prevent its use, as shown in the image.
- Tagout is the placement of a tag on the energy-isolating device notifying staff: "Do Not Operate This Equipment."
- No unauthorized person should turn on or try to operate equipment that has been locked and tagged out.
