OSHA Lockout Tagout (LOTO) Training – General Industry

Learn how to prevent injuries caused by the unexpected startup of machinery or release of hazardous energy with our OSHA Lockout Tagout (LOTO) Training Online course.

This General Industry course covers essential lockout/tagout safety principles and the control of hazardous energy under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147.

Employees learn how hazardous energy can create serious workplace risks, when lockout/tagout procedures are used, and the responsibilities of employees involved in or affected by energy control procedures.

What Is Lockout Tagout (LOTO)?

Lockout/tagout, commonly called LOTO, is a safety procedure used to help protect employees from hazardous energy while machines and equipment are being serviced or maintained.

Hazardous energy can include electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal and other forms of energy.

OSHA's Control of Hazardous Energy standard establishes requirements for controlling hazardous energy when employees perform certain servicing and maintenance activities.

Who Needs Lockout Tagout Training?

Employees who work with or around equipment subject to energy control procedures may need lockout/tagout training appropriate to their responsibilities.

This can include:

• Maintenance employees

• Machine operators

• Equipment technicians

• Manufacturing employees

• Facility maintenance personnel

• Authorized employees

• Affected employees

• Supervisors and managers

• Safety personnel

• Employees working around LOTO operations

The level of training required depends on the employee's responsibilities and exposure to hazardous energy.

What You'll Learn

This online Lockout Tagout training course covers topics including:

• OSHA's Control of Hazardous Energy standard

• Purpose of lockout/tagout

• Hazardous energy recognition

• Types and sources of hazardous energy

• Energy control procedures

• Lockout and tagout devices

• Authorized employees

• Affected employees

• Other employees working in the area

• Machine and equipment shutdown

• Energy isolation

• Stored and residual energy

• Applying locks and tags

• Verification of energy isolation

• Removal of lockout/tagout devices

• Returning equipment to service

• Group lockout/tagout awareness

• Shift and personnel changes

• Outside contractors

• Employee training and retraining

Authorized vs. Affected Employees

OSHA's lockout/tagout requirements distinguish between employees based on their responsibilities.

Authorized employees perform lockout or tagout procedures on machines or equipment so servicing or maintenance can be performed.

Affected employees operate or use machines or equipment on which servicing or maintenance is being performed under lockout/tagout, or work in an area where this work is taking place.

Employees must receive training appropriate to their role and responsibilities.

What Is Hazardous Energy?

Hazardous energy is not limited to electricity.

Workers may encounter several forms of hazardous energy, including:

• Electrical

• Mechanical

• Hydraulic

• Pneumatic

• Chemical

• Thermal

• Gravity

• Stored or residual energy

A machine that appears to be turned off can still contain hazardous stored energy. Proper energy isolation and control procedures are essential before covered servicing or maintenance begins.

OSHA Lockout Tagout Requirements

OSHA addresses the control of hazardous energy in 29 CFR 1910.147.

The standard requires employers to establish an energy control program when employees perform covered servicing and maintenance activities where unexpected energization, startup or release of stored energy could cause injury.

An energy control program generally includes energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections.

When Is Lockout Tagout Required?

Lockout/tagout requirements can apply when servicing or maintaining machines or equipment where an employee could be injured by:

• Unexpected startup

• Unexpected energization

• Release of stored energy

Whether a particular task requires lockout/tagout depends on the equipment, work being performed and applicable OSHA requirements.

Lockout vs. Tagout

Lockout uses a lockout device to hold an energy-isolating device in a safe position and prevent equipment from being energized.

Tagout uses a prominent warning device to indicate that an energy-isolating device and the equipment being controlled must not be operated.

Lockout is generally used when an energy-isolating device is capable of being locked out, subject to the requirements and exceptions of OSHA's standard.

100% Online LOTO Training

Complete your Lockout Tagout Training online from a compatible computer, tablet or mobile device.

Work through the course at your own pace, complete the required assessment and receive a Certificate of Completion after successfully completing the course.

Lockout Tagout Training Certificate

After successfully completing the course, students receive a Certificate of Completion documenting their online training.

Employers remain responsible for ensuring employees receive the training, workplace-specific instruction and practical knowledge necessary to safely perform their assigned responsibilities.

Get Your Lockout Tagout Training Online

Start your OSHA Lockout Tagout (LOTO) Training Online today and learn essential principles for controlling hazardous energy and helping prevent injuries during machine servicing and maintenance.

Enroll online, complete the course at your own pace and receive your Certificate of Completion.