What is the primary purpose of a lockout/tagout (LOTO) program?

• A. To prevent unexpected energization or startup of equipment during maintenance and protect workers from injury.
• B. To identify hazards during operation.
• C. To lock doors in maintenance areas.
• D. To tag out only when replacing components.

Answer: (A)

Lockout/tagout is all about controlling hazardous energy so equipment cannot start up or energize unexpectedly while maintenance or repair work is being done. The main purpose is to protect workers from injury that could occur if a machine or its stored energy releases while someone is servicing it. To achieve this, the energy sources driving the equipment (electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, thermal, etc.) are identified, isolated, and secured with a lock (and usually a tag) so that the equipment stays de-energized until work is finished and it’s safe to restart. This approach goes beyond simply identifying hazards or merely locking doors; a physical lock prevents the energy source from re-energizing, providing a higher level of protection than a tag alone. It’s applied whenever there’s a risk of energy release during maintenance, not just when replacing components.