Lock out Tag Out Procedure

Section 1 - TRAINING AND SAFETY

PURPOSE:

This Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) shall be followed whenever personnel are working in or around energized machinery or equipment (electrical, air pressure, water pressure, spring pressure, hydraulics, or other potential energy sources). This guideline covers emergency responses in which unexpected energizing, start-up, or shutdown could cause injury to a patient or rescuers. Personnel shall utilize the Lock-out/Tag-out procedure when working around any potential sources of energy supplied to said equipment or machinery.

SCOPE:

This procedure is to be followed by all personnel when securing power to machinery in which crews intend to operate in, near, or on with the specific intentions of rescuing a trapped or endangered person.

PROCEDURE:

• Identify the need for a hazard Lock-out/Tag-out.
• Whenever the need for a Lock-out/Tag-out procedure is identified, first check to see if the building official/equipment operator has initiated the Lock-out/Tag-out procedure. If they have, add your company lock and/or tag to those already in place.
• If the Lock-out/Tag-out procedures have not been initiated, then MFRD personnel will initiate this process.
• Notify all affected personnel that a Lock-out/Tag-out procedure is required and provide the reason why it is necessary (e.g., a patient trapped in an elevator).
• If available, with the assistance of the building official/equipment operator, evaluate and determine the safest operation mode of equipment/machinery that will ensure the safety of both the victim and rescuers (e.g., leaving the hydraulic piston in place, securing the electrical power supply, bleeding energy source).
• Operate the disconnect switch, valve, circuit breaker, or other isolating device(s) so that the equipment is isolated from its energy source. Before manipulating any such devices, the Company Officer must understand the potential outcome.
• Dissipate and isolate all stored energy (if applicable), such as that found in springs, elevated machine members, rotating parts, hydraulic systems, air, gas, steam, or water pressure. All stored energy must be dissipated or restrained by methods such as repositioning, blocking, bleeding down, etc.
• Lock out the energy isolation device(s) with approved energy Lock-out/Tag-out device(s), individual company lock(s), and/or tags. If more than one company is working at the same incident, each company shall place their individual lock(s) and/or tags on the energy Lock-out/Tag-out location for each piece of equipment or machinery involved in the incident.
• If it is impossible to use a secure lock on a piece of equipment or machinery, another positive means of disconnecting the circuit or equipment must be used. Other positive means may include unplugging, disconnecting the conductors, or removing fuses. In this case, the tag must be placed on the plug, conductor, fuse brackets, etc. If no positive means can be used, place a radio-equipped firefighter stationed at the controls to prevent the machine/equipment from being activated.
• Only after the machine/equipment has been properly locked/tagged out shall emergency personnel begin to work to remove the entangled/trapped patient. Always try to have a representative of the company or equipment operator where the incident is located to assist with their expertise on the equipment.
• The key(s) to the Lock-out/Tag-out device shall remain with the Incident Commander/Company Officer once the lock has been applied.
• If an investigation by the Fire Department or any other agency is required, our Lock-out/Tag-out equipment shall be photographed and left in place until the investigation is completed and/or a Chief Officer authorizes its removal.
• If any piece of equipment or energized machinery must remain locked/tagged out for investigative or safety purposes – Fire Administration, Fire Prevention, and the building representative/responder must be notified. Notifications of building representatives/responders shall be recorded within the Fire Report (NIFRs).