What is lockout/tagout?

• A. A safety procedure to ensure equipment is not operated while maintenance is performed.
• B. A method to seal leaks.
• C. A system to monitor temperature.
• D. A procedure to tag all valves as open.

Answer: (A)

Lockout/tagout is the safety practice that prevents equipment from being started or energized while maintenance or repair work is being done. It uses a physical lock on the energy source (and often a tag with information) to stop any accidental re-energizing, covering all energy types like electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or springs. The goal is to protect workers from unexpected startup or release of stored energy that could cause injury. The lock provides a physical barrier to operation, while the tag communicates who is responsible and that the equipment must not be operated. It’s not about sealing leaks, monitoring temperature, or simply tagging valves as open; those tasks don’t guarantee the equipment stays safely shut down during service.