The webinar examines the current consensus thinking regarding “the control of hazardous energy”. The Committee with the 2016 revision has rejected the normal production operations versus service and maintenance construct as an artificial distinction without real world application. More specifically, the Committee realized that work gets done based upon the tasks to be performed without regard to a characterization of whether the task is normal production operations, service or maintenance. Hazards associated with the unexpected release of hazardous energy need to be addressed – regardless of any labels or characterization attached to it.
The revised standard presents requirements for controlling hazardous energy through three different approaches: lockout (the primary approach), tagout and alternative methods. The presenters examine the principal content of the standard: responsibilities, design, program, procedures, training, auditing, control elements and alternative methods. Seven situations are addressed where alternative methods may be required rather than conventional lockout. Criteria for evaluating alternative methods and determining their effectiveness are discussed based upon risk assessment.