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MEden380  
#1 Posted : 14 November 2013 16:27:56(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
MEden380

Lock Out Tag Out Systems Any body got any good information or know of any websites showing how these systems can be managed properly Also any issues with the system and examples of where it may have gone wrong
rodgerker  
#2 Posted : 14 November 2013 16:42:24(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
rodgerker

Try Castell.com Their "Trapped Key" interlock system can be as simple (one or two keys) or as complicated as you want (up to literally hundreds). It does work, but you do need to think and plan what you want Rodger Ker
Brett Day SP  
#3 Posted : 14 November 2013 16:59:12(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Brett Day SP

I recently worked in the Quarry / Aggregate industry where there is lots of heavy machinery on Isolation and Lock - Off protocols. The majority of incidents happen when staff do not follow the protocol or only follow part of the protocol. For example a fitter was going to work on number 3 of 4 screw conveyors, he followed all of the procedure, including the paperwork and tags. The No. 3 Isolator was padlocked. Imagine his surprise when he removed the cover and was just about to put his hands into No. 3 Screw conveyor when it roared into life. The one thing in the procedure he omitted to do was a 'Test & Check' (i.e. press the start buttons on all the 4 conveyors to check that whilst 1, 2 and 4 would start 3 was in fact correctly isolated), had he done that he would have found out Isolators & Conveyors 3 & 4 were wired incorrectly I3 to C4 and I4 to C3. If it's electrical isolation you are after info on the NICEIC do some good factsheets and a good DVD on electrical isolation and testing.
Brett Day SP  
#4 Posted : 14 November 2013 17:03:36(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Brett Day SP

Other potential issues are fitters finishing the job, finishing work and going home with the kit still locked off, you then have either the option of a robust 'forced removal' protocol to get the kit working or call the person back to site to remove their own padlock. Duplicate keys / padlocks can cause issues with the key holder thinking they are working in an isolated and locked off piece of kit with someone else with a key. Also interlocks should not be used as a means of isolation & lock off - again incidents have occurred due to interlocks being incorrectly used.
Kate  
#5 Posted : 15 November 2013 07:46:24(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

A practice I've seen to address the problem Brett describes is to brand the procedure "Lock, Tag and Try" to make the "try" element more prominent.
Brett Day SP  
#6 Posted : 15 November 2013 08:38:19(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Brett Day SP

Kate, Thanks, the company I worked for until recently use Lock Off & Isolate, Test & Check. It does work very well - the incidents I described are historical - And even though they are historical the company uses them in training to show how things can go wrong and really drum in that NOT following the procedure just isn't acceptable under any circumstances regardless of the job pressures. But short of malicious acts, If the system is robust, generally the failures tend to be as result of not following the correct procedures.
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