Final answer:
Lockout/tagout is a safety procedure used to ensure that electrical equipment is properly shut down and inoperable during maintenance or repair to prevent hazardous energy release and protect workers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Lockout/Tagout
Lockout/tagout refers to specific practices and procedures to disable machinery or equipment, thereby preventing the release of hazardous energy while maintenance or repair activities are performed.
This practice is crucial for protecting the safety and well-being of workers by ensuring that electrical equipment is properly shut down and inoperable during servicing or maintenance.
Locking out the device typically involves a lock, often with a key or combination, that holds an energy isolating device in a safe position, preventing the transfer of energy to the machine or equipment.
Tagout is a labeling process that includes attaching a tag to a locked device that provides a warning not to operate the machine while the tag is in place.
Electrical safety systems and devices such as circuit breakers and fuses play a role in preventing thermal hazards by interrupting excessive currents, while the three-wire system provides additional safety by grounding and protecting against both thermal and shock hazards.
The principle behind working 'one-handed' or keeping one hand in your pocket when dealing with high-power electric circuits is to reduce the risk of electric current passing through the heart by preventing a current path that can traverse the chest. This safety precaution is advised to protect individuals from potentially lethal electric shocks.