Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
All energy sources, including Radio Frequency (RF), must be controlled so that employee exposure to hazards is minimized.
As part of a company’s policy manual, there should be a program for controlling energy hazards that includes energy control procedures, employee training, and a timeline for periodic inspections.
Lockout or tagout shall be performed only by the authorized employees who are performing the service or maintenance.
Energy control (LOTO) procedure
- Identify equipment/power source to be LOTO
- Steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy
- Steps for the placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices or tagout devices, and the responsibility for them
- Requirements for testing machine/equipment to verify zero energy and determine the effectiveness of LOTO devices and other energy control measures
Training and Communication
Authorized employee
- Recognition of hazardous energy sources
- Type and magnitude of energy in workplace
- Methods and means for energy isolation and control
Affected employee
- Purpose and use of the energy control procedure
- Recognize and identify energy hazards
All other employees
- Procedures for energy control
- Prohibition of restarting or reenergizing equipment that is locked or tagged out
LOTO Device Removal
• LOTO shall only be removed from the energy isolating device by the employee who applied the device.
Exception: When authorized employee who applied the LOTO device is not available, device may be removed under the direction of the employer following the employer’s LOTO procedures.
Specific procedure shall include:
- Verification by employer that authorized employee who applied device is not available.
- Making all reasonable efforts to contact authorized employee to inform them that LOTO device has been removed.
- Ensuring that authorized employee has this knowledge before they resume work.
Download LockOut/TagOut poster
Additional Resources:
NATE Safety and Health Manual Online Resource Library, Chapter 23 Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedure:
Member Link:
Nonmember Link:
NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace
Disclaimer: NATE is a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating safety, education and standards for the tower erection, service, and maintenance industry. The NATE Climber/Rescuer Training Standard was developed to bring consistency to the training of tower climbers by establishing the minimum standards to which all climbers should be trained.
By using this standard, you hereby acknowledge that you are solely responsible for the development of your program and training of individuals in your company. Furthermore, NATE expressly notifies you that you are responsible for knowing and following applicable regulations and laws pertaining to tower safety and training, and it is your responsibility to defend your training program if it is ever questioned or challenged by outside sources, including any federal or state regulatory agencies responsible for occupational safety and health.
NATE accepts no responsibility for the training that will be conducted under this standard, and use of this standard is at your own risk. This standard should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion on any specific facts or circum- stances, or as creating any warranties, or legal obligations, either expressed or implied.
