Last edit: 16/05/2023
Serious accidents due to the presence of energy on machinery continue to cause a significant number of deaths and injuries.
ISO 14118 ‘Safety of machinery – Prevention of unexpected start-up’, adopted in 2018 as EN ISO 14118, addresses the risk of accidents due to the presence of energy in machinery and how to reduce it. In the USA and Canada, the approach is called Lockout-Tagout and the relevant US standard is ANSI/ASSE Z244.1 ‘The control of Hazardous Energy Lockout, Tagout and Alternative Methods’. Several studies conducted around the world have pointed out that a significant percentage of work-related injuries and deaths are due to lockout procedures not being carried out. There have been few accidents in which a lockout-tagout procedure was performed and a death occurred due to human error or mechanical failure.
This small proportion suggests that lockout/tagout procedures, when used correctly, prevent fatal accidents from occurring.
The Lockout-Tagout procedure starts with a clear indication of where the power sources of the machinery are located. ECPLs (Electric Controls and Power Lockouts) are prepared and each source is properly marked.
GT Engineering can provide a complete analysis of the power and distribution sources of your machinery or production line. We can define, prepare and print the required ECPL signs and provide you with all power source identification tags.