NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) testimony to DOL (Department of Labor) on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's proposed rule on the control of hazardous energy sources (lockout/tagout) by R. W. Niemeier, September 8, 1988
The testimony addressed the proposed rule on control of hazardous energy sources and was offered in support of the position of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on this issue. Provisions already in existence for cranes, derricks, and power presses require lockout provisions for electrical connections. The proposed rule will extend these protections to nonelectric power sources and add a requirement for isolating nonelectric hazards. The new rule requires a written procedure and training program. NIOSH opposed the use of tags instead of locks, as tags only provide a warning and are subject to several abuses including removal before maintenance is complete and negligence in removing the tag by the service operator when maintenance is completed. Over 20 electrically related fatalities were noted where a deenergized locked-out electrical circuit would have prevented the fatality. In a review of 160 responses concerning injuries where the equipment was turned off, six indicated the equipment was tagged out. Concern was also expressed over the simple tagout permitted for mechanical power transmission systems. NIOSH recommends that each worker should apply and remove his or her own lock.
- Research Organization:
- National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5902455
- Report Number(s):
- PB-89-139224/XAB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) testimony to DOL (Department of Labor) on Occupational Safety and Health Administration's proposed rule on electrical safety-related work practices
NIOSH comments to DOL on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's proposed rule on electric power generation, transmission, and distribution; electrical-protective equipment by R. W. Niemeier, July 2, 1990
Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
ENERGY SOURCES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HEALTH HAZARDS
EQUIPMENT
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
ACCIDENTS
ELECTRIC SHOCK
REGULATIONS
SAFETY ENGINEERING
ENGINEERING
HAZARDS
MATERIALS
SAFETY
552000* - Public Health
292000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Supply
Demand & Forecasting
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety