The Lockout/Tagout standard is intended to protect employees from the unexpected energization, start up, or release of hazardous energy during the performance of servicing and maintenance operations. This standard requires employers to develop procedures for locking out/tagging out equipment and/or machines that authorized employees are servicing and/or maintaining.

The Lockout/Tagout standard also applies to servicing and/or maintenance operations in cases where there are:

• Multiple energy sources

• Interconnected or nearby machines or equipment

This topic contains a discussion of both of these issues.