Isolation and lockout-tagout
Procedures for isolating equipment from its energy sources before maintenance or repair, preventing unexpected energisation or start-up. The UK and Ireland use isolation as the general term; OSHA defines a specific lockout-tagout programme.
Also known as
By jurisdiction
UK HSE
“isolation”Close equivalentPUWER 1998 (regulation 19) requires that work equipment is isolated from energy sources where appropriate for maintenance operations. HSE guidance describes isolation as a hierarchy before lock-off.
Irish HSA
“isolation”Close equivalentRequired under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, Part 2, Chapter 1. Employers must ensure that equipment can be isolated from its energy sources before maintenance.
US OSHA
“lockout/tagout”LOTOClose equivalentOSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 requires employers to establish a written programme for controlling hazardous energy during servicing and maintenance. The standard distinguishes lockout (physical lock) from tagout (warning tag where lockout is not possible) and mandates documented procedures for each piece of equipment.
Practitioner note: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 (lockout/tagout) covers energy isolation broadly (electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, etc.). In GB/IE, electrical isolation is addressed under EAWR/GAR; mechanical isolation under PUWER.
Nearest equivalent in other frameworks
- →safe-electrical-isolation (GB/IE electrical equivalent)