The foundation of an effective procedure begins with thorough documentation. Lockout PRO™ software can help make documenting and implementing maintenance procedures easy by allowing visual guidelines to be printed and posted to each maintenance point.

Creating effective procedures is a four-step process:

1. Hazard analysis to determine the type and magnitude of hazardous energy associated with each piece of equipment.
2. Identification of steps necessary to isolate that energy and lock out the relevant control points. 
3. Documentation of the correct steps to isolate and lock out energy. 
4. Employee training and periodic procedure review/updates.

Lockout software allows you to quickly create a Lockout procedure in as little as 3 minutes. Standardised templates and user-friendly prompts speed the process of creating, editing and managing procedures. The end result is compliant procedures that help prevent mistakes, increase maintenance efficiency and most importantly save lives.

The key to writing effective procedures is to make them as easy as possible to follow. Standardised formats help meet this goal by increasing comprehension, and helping ensure that procedures are followed correctly. Standard formats also help workers who are responsible for locking out multiple machines, because they can quickly scan the procedure rather than having to search for information.

Photos and pictogram's also help workers understand the nature and location of specific energy points that must be locked out on a machine. This eliminates guesswork, speeds up the Lockout process, and ensures that the correct controls are locked out. Photos can be easily incorporated into your procedures using Lockout PRO™, with arrows added to indicate the exact locations of energy sources. Different colours and symbols are used for the various types of hazardous energy such as electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic.

Effective Lockout procedures can dramatically increase your company’s productivity by making Lockout activities more efficient. Your procedures serve as a checklist that allows workers to quickly move through the steps without confusion or mistakes, reducing downtime and damage to machinery.

Employees are an essential component of any operation and keeping them accident-free should be a priority of any workplace concerned about safety. OH&S regulations require that all employees be trained in accordance with their specific roles and responsibilities. As a guideline Authorised Employees who perform service or maintenance work and undertake the actual Lockout must be able to:

• Recognise hazardous energy sources.
• Understand the types and extent of energy. 
• Know method for isolating and controlling hazardous energy. 
• Know methods for the safe application, use and removal of Lockout devices.

Lockout/Tagout complete training kits show participants how to recognise hazards and safe handling methods. Employee Handbooks are also supplied for ongoing familiarisation with safe response procedures for emergency situations. Lockout for Life helps viewers learn from other workers tragic mistakes. The format is suitable for training new and experience employees, allowing the instructor to ask participants - How would you have prevented this injury?

Most importantly all employees should know how to protect themselves and others during servicing and equipment maintenance. Regular employee training sessions will ensure your authorised employees act responsibly when undertaking Lockout/Tagout procedures.

Using correct Lockout tools and devices is also critical to the success of your program implementation. When selecting your devices two questions should be asked – How many employees are involved in the procedure? What is the Energy source?

Padlocks are used in a number of lockout applications as a means to secure lockout devices to equipment where energy is being controlled. Brady Safety Plus padlocks are designed specifically for Lockout applications. The rugged, yet lightweight construction makes them ideal for harsh industrial environments. The spark-resistant, non-conductive body enhances safety in electrical applications.

For lockout situations where up to 6 employees are involved in the process Hasps are an effective device whereby all personnel can be occupied in maintenance activities simultaneously. Nonconductive, stainless steel and vinyl coated hasps are widely used in mining applications.

Valve & Cable Lockout devices enable you to isolate various energy sources, when used in conjunction with padlocks. Brady’s extensive range of devices enables you to select and use the most appropriate tools for your procedure, in accordance with your specific application.

In all Lockout procedures an employee or maintenance team doing the servicing must have exclusive control of the lockout devices and padlocks.

Studies have shown that an effective Lockout/ Tagout program can reduce accidents by up to 30-50%, and some insurance companies even offer lower premiums to companies with demonstrated, effective Lockout programs.

Brady’s selection of Lockout products help to facilitate an effective Energy Isolation Program that can prevent potentially fatal injuries in your workplace.