by jbs120208 j3 — December 8, 2008—The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) recently announced that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved the reaffirmation of the American National Standard ANSI Z244.1-2003 (R2008) “Control of Hazardous Energy—Lockout/Tagout and Alternative Methods,” which aims to protect workers from hazardous energy associated with machines, equipment, or processes that could cause injury.
The standard establishes requirements and performance objectives for procedures, techniques, designs, and methods that protect workers where injury can occur due to unexpected releases of hazardous energy. An unexpected release of hazardous energy includes any unintended motion, start-up, or release of stored energy, deliberate or otherwise, from the perspective of the person at risk, explains ASSE.
According to the standard, lockout/tagout is the main method of hazardous energy control. However, when tasks performed on the job are routine, repetitive, and integral to the production process, or traditional lockout/tagout prohibits the completion of those tasks, the standard indicates that alternative methods of control that provide effective personal protection and are based on risk assessment specified in the standard shall be used. ASSE defines routine, repetitive, and integral production processes as tasks that are short in duration; relatively minor in nature; occur frequently during the shift day or week; are usually performed by operators, set-up, service, or maintenance personnel; and do not involve extensive disassembly.
To purchase a copy or for more information contact ASSE customer service at 847/699-2929, or visit the ANSI “Access Standards” Web site and search for the document.
