Does Lockout Tagout Training Expire?

Lockout tagout training is required by OSHA for all employees who operate and maintain equipment. While the certification of training does not expire on a schedule, there are explicitly stated requirements for retraining.

OSHA 1910.147(c)(1) states:

The employer shall establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performs any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative.

Section 1910.147(c)(7)(iii) sets standards for employee retraining:

1910.147(c)(7)(iii)(A): Retraining shall be provided for all authorized and affected employees whenever there is a change in their job assignments, a change in machines, equipment or processes that present a new hazard, or when there is a change in the energy control procedures.

1910.147(c)(7)(iii)(B): Additional retraining shall also be conducted whenever a periodic inspection under paragraph (c)(6) of this section reveals, or whenever the employer has reason to believe that there are deviations from or inadequacies in the employee’s knowledge or use of the energy control procedures.

LOTO is critical for the safety of employees who work in and around heavy machinery. Prior to the widespread implementation of lockout tagout procedures, hundreds of people were killed each year and thousands more injured in accidents related to unintended energization of machinery while it was being worked on.

Lockout tagout training:

• Saves lives
• Minimizes risk of injury if machines are accidentally started
• Minimizes risk of injury in unexpected releases of hazardous energy such as arc flash, steam blasts, or corrosive chemicals
• Minimizes risk of litigation
• May give eligibility for benefits and discounts on worker’s compensation with reduced accidents
• Inspires employee confidence and trust by prioritizing safety
• Increases profits due to reduced costs

The purpose of lockout tagout training is to ensure that energy is not released or equipment cycled while the equipment is being worked on. It is not enough to flip a power switch. Detailed procedures are necessary to make certain that machinery is:

1. De-energized, stopping the equipment from moving.
2. Locked out, meaning physically locking the control mechanism in the closed/off position.
3. Relieved of stored energy such as bleeding air from a pneumatic hose.
4. Tested to ensure energy is off.

ESS are experts in electrical safety, maintenance, testing, design, assessment, and training. In a short time, we will travel to your facility anywhere in the United States and conduct lockout tagout training for all of your authorized and affected employees, giving you more time to deal with other issues. For more information about nationwide electrical training and services, contact ESS today!