Control of Hazardous Energy
The LOTO Program provides detailed information on how energy sources must be locked and tagged out before employees perform any servicing or maintenance activities where the unexpected energizing, start-up, or release of stored energy could cause injury.
PURPOSE
The University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign (University), through the Facilities and Services Division
of Safety and Compliance, Occupational Safety and Health Department (OSH), has established this
Control of Hazardous Energy Program to protect the health of university students, faculty and staff and
to assure compliance with State and Federal occupational safety and health standards.
This Program provides the minimum requirements for unit‐specific control of hazardous energy
programs. It is expected that campus units will utilize this Control of Hazardous Energy Program to
develop unit‐specific standard operating procedures (SOPs) including completion of Appendix A ‐ Unit‐
Specific Standard SOPs and providing the first page to OSH.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
OSH is responsible for the administration of this Program. OSH maintains copies of all records for
services provided by OSH pertaining to this Program. An OSH program coordinator provides guidance,
regulatory interpretation and oversight for this Program and reviews this Program annually.
Deans, Department Heads, and Directors (Campus Units)
Campus Units shall provide the resources necessary to properly implement this Program and Appendix A‐Unit‐Specific SOPs, and designate a Responsible Person that will be charged with implementing this
Program and Appendix A ‐ Unit‐Specific SOPs.
Campus Unit Responsible Person
The Responsible Person shall work with Campus Unit Supervisors to identify personnel that may be
required to repair or maintain equipment and machines having sources of hazardous energy, ensure
that personnel attend appropriate training before performing work that could result in an expected
startup or energization of hazardous energy sources, and ensure that the Appendix A ‐ Unit‐Specific
SOPs are reviewed annually.
Supervisors for Personnel Applying Energy Control Locks and Tags (Supervisors)
Supervisors and Principle Investigators (PIs) are responsible for enforcement of this Program and
Appendix A ‐ Unit‐Specific SOPs. Supervisors and Principle Investigators (PIs) are responsible for ensuring development of equipment‐specific procedures for equipment and machines for which they have responsibility. They shall assist in the development and annual review of Appendix A ‐ Unit‐Specific
SOPs, ensure annual audits are performed for the personnel and equipment/machines they have
responsibility for, and ensure that their employees receive appropriate training.
Personnel Applying Energy Control Locks and Tags
Faculty, staff and students who apply energy control locks and tags are responsible for adhering to the
provisions of this Program, Appendix A ‐ Unit‐Specific SOPs, and manufacturer instructions. They must
only apply locks and tags to equipment/machines for which they have been authorized by their
supervisor and trained to service or maintain. They shall participate in annual audits as directed by their
supervisor or the Campus Unit Responsible Person. They shall follow equipment‐specific energy control
procedures or develop them when none exist. The Appendix C ‐ Example Equipment‐Specific Energy
Control Procedure Form can be used to document procedures for Campus Unit equipment.
PROCEDURES
Equipment‐Specific Energy Control Procedures
An equipment‐specific procedure is not required when ALL of the following exist:
- The machine or equipment has no potential for stored or residual energy or reaccumulation of stored energy after shut down which could endanger employees;
- The machine or equipment has a single energy source which can be readily identified and isolated;
- The isolation and locking out of that energy source will completely de‐energize and deactivate the machine or equipment;
- The machine or equipment is isolated from that energy source and locked out during servicing or maintenance;
- A single lockout device will achieve a locked out condition;
- The lockout device is under the exclusive control of the Authorized Employee performing the servicing or maintenance;
- The servicing or maintenance does not create hazards for other employees; and
- The Campus Unit, in utilizing this exception, has had no accidents involving the unexpected activation or reenergization of the machine or equipment during servicing or maintenance.
Specific procedures must be developed for each piece of equipment, or for each class of related
equipment.
Program Evaluation
This Program will be reviewed annually by OSH. The written Appendix A ‐ Unit‐Specific SOPs and
associated records shall be reviewed and updated by the respective Campus Unit at least annually and
more frequently as hazards, tasks, procedures and/or equipment change. Annual Campus Unit reviews
shall be recorded and kept on file using Appendix I ‐ Program Audit Checklist.
Appendices:
Appendix A - Unit-Specific Standard Operating Procedures
Appendix B - Example Energy Control Devices
Appendix C - Example Equipment-Specific Energy Control Procedure Form
Appendix D - Abandoned LockTag Removal Form
Appendix E - Affected Employee Training and Record Form
Appendix F - Periodic Inspection Form
Appendix G - Procedures for Electrical Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution
Appendix H - Definitions
Appendix I - Program Audit Checklist