When workers perform electrical work on equipment, they must make sure to Lock Out Tag Out the circuit being worked on so no one else can come in and inadvertently re-energize the circuit which can expose him to electrical accident.
We we talk about the Lock Out Tag out breaker, we are talking about a point were the circuit can be locked, preventing someone else tamper with the circuit at that point.
At the end of this article you will understand how to lock out tag out a circuit at the breaker safely.
Lock Out Tag Out Breaker: How To Lock Out Safely
Here are the steps to follow;
Step 1 – Turn Off The Power
The first step in a lock out tag out procedure is to turn off power to that circuit or breaker. This can be done by flipping a switch on your panelboard, or shutting off a main circuit breaker for your entire house if there is no panelboard. If you are unsure how to do either of these things, ask someone who does know how before proceeding. If you do not know how to shut off power safely, then you should not be doing any lock out tag out procedures!
You may also wish to put up a warning sign so other people know not to turn that circuit back on until you are done. This could be a sign, or something more obvious like putting a lock on your panelboard door.
Step 2 – Back Up The Switch
Use a lock out tag out kit and make sure that you do not leave your switch open, even for a second. If possible, turn off multiple circuits at once. This will minimize any chance of electric shock while isolating an area that you are working on. Make sure to use lock out tag out kits so you can stay safe while doing maintenance work.
Step 3 – Remove The Cover
Using your screwdriver, remove each of the screws holding down each of your circuit breaker’s protective covers. In most cases, there will be two to four screws on each cover. Once you have removed all of these screws, you can pull off each cover and set it aside for later use.
Be sure to keep track of which cover belongs to which breaker and also be sure not to lose any of these screws as you will need them later.
Step 4 – Lock The Circuit Breaker
Lock out tag out kits have a lock that must be applied to all circuit breakers before you can work on them. These locks prevent anyone from turning on power to that circuit until they have been removed by someone who has been trained in lock out tag out procedures.
If you are not familiar with lock out tag out techniques, then it is best to contact an electrician or other qualified professional for assistance. If you do not lock out and tag out correctly, there is a risk of electrical shock or electrocution. Always follow lock out tag out procedures when working on any electrical system.
Step 5 – Lock The Circuit Breaker In The Off Position
Now that you have removed all of your circuit breaker’s protective covers, it is time to move on to locking out and tagging out your circuit breakers in preparation for service work.
The first step is to lock out your circuit breakers by turning them clockwise until they are fully locked. This will ensure that no one can accidentally turn them back on while you are working on a project. The second step is to tag each of your locked-out circuit breakers with a Do Not Operate tag so that everyone knows not to touch or operate them during any point in time.
After both of your circuit breakers are locked and tagged, it is time to move on to safe work practices. The following section will outline how to work safely with a circuit breaker that has been locked out and tagged for service.
Step 6 – Double Check That The Circuit Is Locked
While it is true that flipping a breaker switch is really all you need to do in order to lock out tag out a circuit, it is a very good idea to double check with your electrician or an electrical engineer to make sure. We want to do everything we can in order to ensure that our job is done correctly, and your utility might require you submit documentation showing how you have properly locked out tag out a circuit.
Once you have completed these steps, your circuit should be locked. As an added safety precaution, consider contacting your local utility company and having them verify that it is properly locked out tag out before turning power back on to it. They may require that you submit documentation showing how you have properly locked out tag out a circuit.
Lockout Tagout Padlocks, 2020. Tradesafe.Additional Tips For Safety
Lock out tag out is a procedure that is meant to protect workers from electric shock or from an electrical accident. Just like lockout tags are used to lock up a circuit breaker, tag-out procedures should be in place for any kind of maintenance or repair work done on a live electrical system. Lock out tag out examples include situations where workers will be near circuits with voltage, as well as installing equipment that could potentially affect power flow.
For example, lock out tag out examples could include various construction projects or installation jobs. If a worker is working on an electrical installation in your home or business, that worker will be at risk of shock if he or she does not use lockout tags to secure electricity to certain equipment in order to complete their work. Another example of lock out tag out examples is when workers will be near circuits with voltage while they are doing repair work.
If a live circuit is being worked on and left energized, a worker could inadvertently come into contact with that energy. This could result in an electric shock which could be fatal to anyone in contact with exposed electrical energy. That is why it is crucial to have lockout tag out procedures in place before beginning any kind of repair work or maintenance involving live electrical systems.
This article is not a standard for “Lock Out Tag Out A Breaker”, it just a guide. The main aim is to prevent electrical injury when working on electrical installations.
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