Coordinating procedures reduces confusion/omissions and improves efficiency. It also forces procedure writers to put the information in chunks that fit preset categories. This makes for leaner procedures that people are much more likely to follow correctly.
NFPA 70E says these items are necessary for coordinating the lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedure [120.2(G)]. You must coordinate the:
- LOTO with all other procedures for controlling exposure to electrical energy.
- Procedure for controlling exposure to electrical hazards with procedures for controlling exposure to other hazardous energy.
Also, your electrical LOTO devices can be similar to other LOTO devices — but only if those devices are used to control exposure to hazardous energy. Other forms of hazardous energy include pneumatic, hydraulic, thermal, and mechanical.
The actual text is a bit more detailed than this, but that’s the gist of it. So, what does this mean in practical terms? How do you coordinate procedures?
A good way to coordinate the various procedures mentioned in 120.2G is to develop a template upon which all of them must be based. You will then “harmonize” or “standardize” them so they have the same layout and things flow in the same order. Create discrete sections that serve the same purpose in each procedure. For a good example of this method, look at any two Safety Data Sheets (SDS); regardless of the chemical, the SDS will have the same numbered sections whether they apply to a given chemical or not.
One of those standard sections will need to be “Other Applicable Procedures” or something similar. When you think of something like a hydraulic press, for example, merely locking out the motor doesn’t render it safe. Especially if the ram is all the way to the top of its stroke.
Don’t try to backfit various procedures to utilize the one you like the best. Put thought into making the best template, and get user input before finalizing it. Once you have the final template, then extract information from each of the older procedures and put it in the relevant place in its replacement that is based on the template. This is a good time to edit for conciseness, correct grammar, and clarity.
What about making electrical LOTO devices similar to other LOTO devices? And how can you ensure LOTO devices are used for no other purpose? Many sites adopt a color scheme or some other method to identify LOTO locks, and those locks are issued to individuals. LOTO training must include the concept of not using LOTO locks for anything else and not using any other kind of lock for LOTO.
