What is the purpose of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) before electrical work?

What is the purpose of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) before electrical work?

• A. Improve signal clarity
• B. Deactivate alarms
• C. Increase battery life
• D. Isolate energy sources and tag to prevent re-energization

Answer: (D)

Lockout/Tagout is about protecting workers by preventing unexpected energization during electrical work. It achieves this by first isolating the equipment’s energy sources so it can’t be turned back on, and then applying a physical lock to the energy-releasing device along with a tag that warns others not to re-energize the equipment. This combination ensures that, even if someone else tries to power the system, the lock physically blocks it and the tag communicates that maintenance is in progress. Verification steps confirm there is no stored or residual energy before work begins, and locks remain in place until the job is finished and the area is declared safe. Other options don’t address preventing re-energization or protecting workers from hazardous energy, so they don’t fulfill the safety purpose of LOTO.

Lockout/Tagout is about protecting workers by preventing unexpected energization during electrical work. It achieves this by first isolating the equipment’s energy sources so it can’t be turned back on, and then applying a physical lock to the energy-releasing device along with a tag that warns others not to re-energize the equipment. This combination ensures that, even if someone else tries to power the system, the lock physically blocks it and the tag communicates that maintenance is in progress. Verification steps confirm there is no stored or residual energy before work begins, and locks remain in place until the job is finished and the area is declared safe. Other options don’t address preventing re-energization or protecting workers from hazardous energy, so they don’t fulfill the safety purpose of LOTO.