Lockout/Tagout in Ontario: Protecting Workers from Hazardous Energy
5 min read
Lockout/tagout (LOTO) — formally known as the control of hazardous energy — is a set of procedures designed to ensure machinery is fully de-energized before workers perform maintenance, cleaning, or repair tasks. In Ontario, LOTO requirements are governed by the Industrial Establishments Regulation (O. Reg. 851) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Failures in lockout/tagout procedures consistently rank among the leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities in manufacturing, mining, and construction workplaces. The good news: these incidents are almost entirely preventable with the right program in place.
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A written lockout/tagout procedure is legally required for any machine or equipment where unexpected energization could injure a worker
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All forms of hazardous energy must be isolated — electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, thermal, and chemical
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Each worker performing maintenance must apply their own personal lock — one worker, one lock, no exceptions
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Workers must be trained on LOTO procedures specific to each piece of equipment they service
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Locks must not be removed by anyone other than the worker who applied them — supervisors cannot override this
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Conduct a periodic LOTO audit to verify procedures are being followed and all equipment has up-to-date written procedures
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