Hazardous Energy Control - Lockout/Tagout

Updated November 16, 2023

The UW Hazardous Energy Control Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Program was developed to prevent personal injury or illness resulting from unexpected start-up, energization or release of stored energy during servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment. The program is in accordance with the requirements in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 296-803 and aligns with standards established by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Hazardous energy, such as electricity, chemical, radiation, pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical and gravitational energy sources, must be isolated and dissipated before servicing or maintaining equipment. Hazardous energy controls are generally known as Lockout/Tagout, or LOTO, and consist of locks and tags applied to energy-isolating device(s) on equipment that contains the hazardous energy source(s).

The UW Hazardous Energy Control LOTO Program Manual includes:

  • Processes to identify and isolate hazardous energy sources
  • Defines and describes energy-isolating devices on equipment
  • Defines and describes lockout/tagout devices and lock types
  • Hazardous energy control procedures and safe work practices
  • A template for departments to document LOTO procedures specific to their department as a supplement to the UW Hazardous Energy Control LOTO Program Manual
  • Written LOTO procedure types, requirements and forms
  • Specific procedures for certain operations, group LOTO
  • Training requirements
  • Forms to document departmental periodic reviews of LOTO procedures and employees doing LOTO, and annual audits

The UW Hazardous Energy Control LOTO Program applies to all University organizational units at all locations including the Seattle campus, UW Bothell, UW Tacoma, UW Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, University-owned property University-leased space and temporary field locations under the control of University operations staff.

Responsibilities

What you can do to stay safe

Authorized Persons:

  • Always communicate and coordinate LOTO work with Affected Persons, and others as needed.
  • Always follow LOTO procedures when working on applicable equipment.
  • Suggest changes to LOTO procedures that need improvement for safety reasons.
  • Report equipment that does not have LOTO procedures and may pose a hazard.
  • Report all incidents and near misses involving the release of hazardous energy to your supervisor immediately, and to EH&S using the Online Accident Reporting System (OARS).
  • Contact EH&S for advice or information.

Employees, students and visitors, including Affected Persons:

  • Ask questions if unclear about the LOTO program and procedures and how it affects your work area.
  • Know what equipment in the area needs to be maintained and serviced using LOTO procedures.
  • Know who are the Authorized Persons for your area.
  • Never touch or try to start up equipment that has been locked and tagged out, and tell others as needed.
  • Ask about equipment that does not have LOTO procedures and you think may pose a hazard.
  • Understand and follow instructions from Authorized Persons.
  • Report all incidents and near misses involving the release of hazardous energy to your supervisor immediately, and to EH&S using the Online Accident Reporting System (OARS).
  • Contact EH&S for advice or information.

Services available

EH&S provides consultation and assistance to departments/units to comply with the requirements of the LOTO program, and provide or coordinate LOTO training for Authorized Persons.

LOTO equipment resources are available through UW Procurement Services.

More information

Frequently asked questions

Definitions