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Guidelines Part 10
Guidelines Part 10 Contents
DE-ENERGIZATION AND LOCKOUT
G10.3 Worker entry into J-bar sorting system sawmills
G10.4(1) Lockout of multiple devices
G10.4(6) Use of means other than personal locks
G10.10(2) Use of control system isolating devices
G10.11 Locks not required
Guidelines Part 10 - De-energization and lockout
G10.3 Worker entry into J-bar sorting systems in sawmills
Effective August 1999
Section 10.3(1) of the OHS Regulation states "If machinery or equipment is shut down for maintenance, no work may be done until
(a) all parts and attachments have been secured against inadvertent movement,
(b) where the work will expose workers to energy sources, the hazard has been effectively controlled, and
(c) the energy isolating devices have been locked out as required by this Part".
A J-bar sorting system must be locked out, in accordance with Part 10 of the OHS Regulation, before anyone enters into the bin areas, either above or below the lifts. Paragraphs 10.3(1)(a) and 12.15(b) of the OHS Regulation require actions to be taken to ensure the lifts will not move when a worker is present in the bin area. The Board recognizes the following means of securing the lifts against inadvertent movement:
a) lowering the lifts onto positive mechanical stops of adequate size, or onto the bin removal chains. (Safety stops cannot be depended on to withstand the impact of a falling lift, for example, from hydraulic or mechanical failure in suspension system), or
b) another means of restraint when circumstances require entry of a worker into a bin to clear a lumber hang-up which prevents lowering of the lift onto a positive stop.
Blocking and restraining devices must be:
a) capable of performing the functions for which they are to be used, which may be shown by documentation from the equipment manufacturer (sections 4.3 and 4.8 of the OHS Regulation apply), and
b) maintained as specified by the manufacturer (Section 4.3 applies).
Guarding of the bin removal chain drives is not be required as this is a restricted access area and the system must be locked out before entry is permitted.
G10.4(1) Lockout of multiple control devices
Effective August 1999
In some lockout situations, several energy isolating devices located near each other, such as in a motor control center, need to be locked out. One alternative is to use a personal lock to secure each isolating device in the off or safe position. The Board will also accept the running of a cable, bar or chain through the lock points of the devices (once they are in the off or safe position) and securing the cable, bar or chain against removal with a personal lock if the following criteria are met:
- The control devices are effectively secured in the off or safe position. (The strength, diameter and routing of the cable, chain or bar are sufficient to prevent the control devices being activated.)
- The locking mechanism is secure. (The construction and strength of fittings are sufficient to prevent the removal of a personal lock without the use of tools and destruction of the lock or fitting to which the personal lock is affixed.)
- The multiple lockout system addresses all aspects of lockout requirements. Items such as the use of group lockout procedures, and the use of a personal lock simultaneously with multiple control device lockout schemes is clearly established in the written procedures.
- Training and supervision is provided.
There is no limit on the length of cable, bar or chain acceptable or the maximum number of control devices that may be so secured at one time as long as the system ensures equivalent protection to the use of personal locks on each energy isolating device.
G10.4(6) Use of means other than personal locks
Effective August 1999
Section 10.4(6) of the OHS Regulation states "If the use of a personal lock is not practicable for lockout, another effective means, if approved by the board, may be used in place of a personal lock to secure an energy isolating device in the safe position"."
There should be few situations where use of a personal lock will not be practicable.
One example of such a situation would be a school with a circuit breaker panel in a hallway used by students. The panel cover is normally locked, and the maintenance and other personnel who are authorized to access the panel have a key. When maintenance requires a circuit to be locked out, an approach used in the past was to fix a lockable arrangement on the outside of the panel door to allow the worker to switch off the circuit and then lock the panel door shut with a personal lock. This prevented others from accessing other breakers in the panel, and is now prohibited by section 10.5 of the OHS Regulation.
There are devices that can be installed on individual circuit breakers to allow the breaker to be locked out with a personal lock. However, in some cases the personal lock may not allow the panel door to be closed and secured with the panel door lock. This allows unauthorized access to the breakers by students or others. An alternate device acceptable for use in these types of situations would be a "non-reusable seal" that is installed with adequate identification to show who put it on and that it is installed for lockout purposes. All persons with access to the panel must be trained to know the seal is part of a lockout procedure, and is not to be removed by anyone other than the person who installed it. The employer must limit the use of this alternative to situations where a personal lock cannot reasonably be used.
Other areas where the use of a personal lock may not be practicable is to secure blocking, pinning or other devices used to secure equipment in a safe position and/or inoperable. The lockout procedure must be clear on how such devices are to be installed, and require identification of who installed the device. All workers must know such devices are part of lockout and are not to be removed except with the permission of all the persons involved in the lockout.
G10.10(2) Use of control system isolating devices
Issued August 1999; Editorial Revision October 2004; Editorial Revision February 6, 2006
Section 10.10(1)(c) of the OHS Regulation states "If lockout of energy isolating devices as required by section 10.3 is not practicable...in the case of machinery or equipment designed and equipped with effective control system isolating devices, the devices must be locked out as required by sections 10.4 to 10.9, and 10.10(2)".
Section 10.10(2) states "Control system isolating devices and the procedures for using them must be approved in writing by the board, and must be used by workers qualified and authorized to carry out the work".
The decision on a request for approval required by subsection 10.10(2) will be made by a person authorized to grant "prior approvals".
How to request prior approval
A request under subsection 10.10(2) of the OHS Regulation for approval to use control circuit lockout is to be submitted in writing to the Regulatory Practices Department, and should include the following information to allow for efficient processing.
- List the tasks or activities intended to be done using control circuit lockout.
- Describe the hazard(s) which workers will be protected from by the use of this lockout procedure.
- Explain why is it not practicable to implement lockout through use of energy isolating devices rather than control system isolating devices.
- Describe the proposed control circuit system to be used for lockout and the procedures for using it. (A schematic diagram of the control system should be part of this submission.)
- Provide a risk assessment showing how the proposed system will provide effective protection to workers.
De-energization and Lockout
G10.11 Locks not required
Effective August 1999
Section 10.11(a) of the OHS Regulationstates "The application of a lock is not required under section 10.3 or 10.10 if...the energy isolating device is under the exclusive and immediate control of the worker at all times while working on the machinery or equipment"
This provision applies if the energy isolating device is under the exclusive and immediate control of the worker, and there is no possibility of inadvertent startup of the machine or equipment by another worker. It is intended to allow for tool changes on equipment such as a drill press or lathe without requiring lockout through use of a personal lock. This provision should not be used during major maintenance or servicing, such as a motor change.
The Board will accept that a worker has exclusive and immediate control of the energy isolating device if
- the machine or equipment has only one set of operating controls, and the equipment is stopped,
- the energy isolating device remains in the field of vision of the worker at all times while the task is being done and is located so any move by another worker to activate the control will be immediately obvious to the worker doing work on the machine or equipment,
- written safe work procedures for the task exist, and the affected workers are trained in and follow the procedures, and
- the written safe work procedures are specific as to what tasks can be done without application of a personal lock. Any other maintenance or servicing should be done using a lockout procedure requiring the use of personal locks.
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