Question

If it can be demonstrated that tagging procedures will provide a level of safety equivalent to that obtained by the use of a lock, a tag may be used without a lock so long as _______.

1) Only one circuit or piece of equipment is de-energized
2) Employees exposed to the hazards associated with re-energizing the circuit are familiar with the procedure, and the lockout period does not extend beyond the work shift.
3) At least one additional safety measure that provides a level of safety equivalent to that obtained by the use of a lock (e.g. blocking a control switch or removing an isolating circuit element) is used.
4) All the above.

Answer 1

A tag may be used without a lock if all conditions are met: only one de-energized circuit/equipment, employees know the procedure and the lock period is within one shift, plus one additional safety measure equivalent to lock use is applied.

Step-by-step explanation:

If it can be demonstrated that tagging procedures will provide a level of safety equivalent to that obtained by the use of a lock, a tag may be used without a lock so long as all the above conditions are met. This means:

1. Only one circuit or piece of equipment is de-energized.
2. Employees exposed to the hazards associated with re-energizing the circuit are familiar with the procedure, and the lockout period does not extend beyond the work shift.
3. At least one additional safety measure that provides a level of safety equivalent to that obtained by the use of a lock (e.g., blocking a control switch or removing an isolating circuit element) is used.

Electrical safety systems and devices, such as circuit breakers and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI), play a critical role in preventing thermal and shock hazards by interrupting excessive currents and detecting loss of current to unintentional paths, respectively. Ensuring electrical safety practices are adhered to is crucial for preventing accidents and injuries in any environment that involves electrical circuits.