The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is requesting information about possibly updating the lockout/tagout (LOTO) standard.
The agency would like to learn how employers have been using control circuit devices, including information about the types of circuitry and safety procedures being used, and the limitations of their use. OSHA is also seeking to understand under what conditions control circuity-type devices could be used safely; new risks of worker exposure to hazardous energy as a result of increased interaction with robots; and whether the agency should consider changes to the LOTO standard to address these new risks.
Technological advances since the standard was issued in 1989 suggest control circuit-type devices may be as safe as energy-isolating devices, at least in some circumstances. OSHA is seeking information, data, and comments that could assist the agency to determine under what conditions control circuit-type devices could safely be used for the control of hazardous energy.
Comments must be submitted by August 18. Click here for more information.