Describe the concept of ‘lockout/tagout’.

The concept of 'lockout/tagout' refers to a safety procedure used to ensure that equipment is properly shut off and cannot be restarted until maintenance or repair work is completed. This is crucial in preventing accidental energization of machinery during servicing, which could lead to severe injuries or fatalities for workers who are performing maintenance tasks.

Lockout involves physically locking the energy-isolating devices to prevent the equipment from being turned back on, while tagout involves placing a tag on the lock out device that indicates that maintenance or repair work is being performed. This dual approach effectively communicates to all personnel that the equipment is not to be operated and provides a clear visual alert about the servicing status.

The focus of this process is on worker safety, ensuring a controlled environment where maintenance can be carried out without the risk of unexpected energy release. The importance of adhering to this procedure is underscored in various industrial regulations and standards to safeguard worker health and safety.