The Wayne State University (WSU) Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Program is designed to protect all personnel on campus – including employees, students, contractors, and others – who may be exposed to, work with, or supervise operations involving hazardous energy. This program outlines essential safety procedures for securing energy-isolating devices whenever maintenance or servicing is performed on systems or equipment. By applying effective lockout or tagout devices before any work begins, we aim to prevent the unexpected energization, startup, or release of stored energy, thereby minimizing the risk of serious injury.

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) is responsible for managing WSU's LOTO Program, and all activities related to LOTO compliance require coordination and approval through our office. To request a hazard assessment for specific equipment or operations, please contact OEHS directly. We can assist with developing tailored lockout/tagout procedures for your equipment, identifying the correct energy isolation points, and providing comprehensive LOTO training to ensure everyone understands and can effectively implement the program.

Proper understanding and strict adherence to the procedures within this LOTO program are crucial for maintaining a safe working and learning environment for yourself and others, and for preventing potentially life-threatening situations.

More detailed information can be found in the written Lockout / Tagout Program.

Understanding Hazardous Energy

The Lockout / Tagout (LOTO) Program is designed to control various forms of hazardous energy that could pose a risk during maintenance or servicing tasks. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Electrical Energy: The flow of electrical current that can cause shock, electrocution, or burns.
• Mechanical Energy: Energy stored in moving parts or systems under tension, such as springs, flywheels, or suspended loads, which could cause crushing, cutting, or impact injuries.
• Hydraulic and Pneumatic Energy: The pressure stored in fluids or compressed air within systems, which could result in unexpected movement, forceful ejection, or crushing injuries.
• Thermal Energy: Extreme heat or cold present in equipment or systems, which could cause burns or frostbite.
• Chemical Energy: Hazardous substances that could be released unexpectedly, causing burns, inhalation hazards, or other chemical exposures.
• Gravity: The potential energy of parts or equipment that could fall and cause injury if not properly secured.

Controlling these hazardous energy sources through the LOTO program is crucial for preventing serious injuries during maintenance and servicing activities.

Operations Requiring Lockout/Tagout

The Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Program applies to any servicing or maintenance on machinery and equipment where the unexpected energization, startup, or release of stored energy could potentially cause injury. These activities involve putting personnel in a position where they could be harmed if equipment unexpectedly becomes active or releases stored energy. Examples of such operations commonly found on a university campus include, but are not limited to:

• Maintenance on HVAC Systems: Working on air handling units, chillers, or boilers that involve electrical connections, pressurized refrigerants, and moving mechanical parts.
• Electrical Repairs: Any work on electrical panels, wiring, lighting fixtures, or electrically powered equipment.
• Plumbing Repairs: Work on pressurized water or steam lines where unexpected release could cause burns or other injuries.
• Servicing Laboratory Equipment: Maintenance or repair of centrifuges, autoclaves, vacuum pumps, or other lab machinery with electrical, mechanical, or thermal hazards.
• Maintenance on Groundskeeping Equipment: Servicing lawnmowers, tractors, or other power equipment with mechanical moving parts, electrical systems, and hydraulic components.
• Work on Elevators and Escalators: Any maintenance or repair work within the mechanisms of elevators or escalators involving electrical and mechanical hazards.
• Stage and Theater Equipment Maintenance: Servicing lighting rigs, sound systems, or mechanical stage elements with electrical and mechanical hazards.
• Food Service Equipment Maintenance: Repairing ovens, dishwashers, mixers, or other kitchen machinery with electrical, mechanical, and thermal energy sources.
• Work on Automated Systems: Maintenance on robotic arms, automated conveyors, or other automated equipment found in research labs or facilities.

This list is not exhaustive, and any activity where an employee, student, or contractor could be exposed to hazardous energy during servicing or maintenance falls under the scope of this Lockout / Tagout Program.