A comprehensive lockout tagout program can help address the fact that each year, approximately 3,000 workers suffer injuries which result in lost time at work from injuries sustained during maintenance or cleaning, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. In additional to these injuries there are approximately 60 fatalities each year from similar exposures.
In addition to caught-in exposure, workers face other hazards such as being struck-by, crushed, burnt and electric shock when maintenance work is done without properly controlling the release of energy, i.e., through a proper lockout tagout program.
Some examples of cases are:
- A steam valve was automatically turned on, burning workers who were repairing a downstream connection in the piping.
- A jammed conveyor system suddenly released, crushing a worker who was trying to clear the jam.
- Wiring on a piece of equipment electrically shorted, shocking a worker who was working on the equipment at the time.
The release of uncontrolled energy causes thousands of injuries each year because there are so many factors at play. Hazardous energy control is more than lockout. It encompasses machine guarding, alternative measures (e.g., alternative guarding arrangements that prevent exposure to hazardous energy), lockout, tagout, and other methods of ensuring worker safety from contact with hazardous energy.
The other part of energy control that needs to be considers is recognizing all sources of energy. Sources of energy include:
- Electrical
- Mechanical
- Hydraulic
- Pneumatic
- Chemical
- Thermal
Employers must identify equipment and operations with these hazards and implement a comprehensive, diligently planned and executed Lockout Tagout program, which includes effective procedures, training and the annual inspection of lockout tagout program and procedures.
IMEC Technologies provides Safety Management Software to increase worker safety and aid compliance. IMEC’s Safety Management Software will manage inspections and audits, provides hazard identification, incident reporting, management of corrective and preventative actions from generation to closure. IMEC provides lock out tag out software solutions that will allow users to create lockout tagout procedures using an intuitive Mobile App and Manage Lockout Tagout Procedures, also the Review and Execution of those Lockout Tagout Procedures using the Mobile App. Annual Lockout Tagout Procedures audits are conducted using a Mobile App. The Mobile Inspection App allow users to perform inspections and audits, for example the system can be used as a Fire Extinguisher Barcode Inspection Software system to manage monthly fire extinguisher inspections and general fire safety inspections and also to record safety observations and manage corrective actions, anywhere and anytime. The solution can be used as a fire extinguisher barcode inspection software system or life safety inspection system to aid compliance in Higher Education, Healthcare, Industrial and Commercial Organizations. Benefits from a Fire Extinguisher Barcode System include the elimination of paperwork and reducing the burden of compliance with regulations such as NFPA, The Joint Commission. The Incident Reporting App allows users to easily and quickly report incidents, hazards and near-misses, these are then sent to the appropriate people for action and are managed to closure. Web Apps provide features such as, setup, management, scheduling tools, analysis, reporting and dashboards etc with the ability to report incidents to government bodies such as OSHA and RIDDOR. HazMat T&T is a hazardous waste management software solution designed for Environmental Service Companies and companies who generate a large quantity of hazardous waste. The solution tracks hazardous waste from cradle to grave aiding compliance, providing accurate waste inventory, increasing waste handling efficiency, reducing risk and also helps manage waste costs. HazMat T&T Hazardous Waste Management Software can be deployed in a number of deployment scenarios, from Large Hazardous Waste Generators, tracking their hazardous waste at their site to Environmental Service and Waste Management Companies using it track and manage hazardous waste at transfer and disposal sites. For more information visit our website www.imectechnologies.com