Lockout/Tagout Checklist
Lockout/Tagout Checklist
Quick Summary
A lockout/tagout checklist helps crews safely isolate hazardous energy before servicing, repairing, cleaning, or maintaining equipment. Following a consistent process reduces the risk of unexpected startup, stored energy release, and worker injury. This checklist is useful for contractors, maintenance personnel, equipment operators, and supervisors working around energized systems.
When to Use This Checklist
- Before servicing equipment or machinery.
- During maintenance or repair activities.
- Before cleaning moving equipment components.
- When working on electrical systems.
- Before replacing damaged parts or components.
- During troubleshooting that requires equipment shutdown.
- Before removing guards or accessing hazardous areas.
Before You Start
- Identify the equipment requiring service or maintenance.
- Review the equipment shutdown procedure.
- Identify all energy sources connected to the equipment.
- Notify affected workers of the planned shutdown.
- Gather locks, tags, and required lockout devices.
- Verify authorized personnel are assigned to the work.
- Review site-specific lockout requirements if applicable.
Safety Checks
- Identify electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, and stored energy hazards.
- Verify all guards and access points are controlled before servicing begins.
- Release or block stored energy before work starts.
- Confirm lockout devices are secure and clearly visible.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away from the work area.
- Verify equipment cannot be started before servicing begins.
Tools, Equipment, and Materials
- Personal lockout locks.
- Lockout tags.
- Breaker lockout devices.
- Valve lockout devices if required.
- Equipment-specific shutdown procedures.
- Testing equipment required for verification.
- Maintenance work orders or service documentation.
Lockout/Tagout Checklist
- Notify affected employees that equipment will be shut down.
- Identify all hazardous energy sources connected to the equipment.
- Shut down equipment using normal operating controls.
- Isolate electrical energy sources.
- Isolate hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical energy sources.
- Apply personal lockout devices to each isolation point.
- Attach completed identification tags to each lockout device.
- Release, block, restrain, or dissipate stored energy.
- Verify moving parts have come to a complete stop.
- Attempt normal startup to verify equipment is isolated.
- Verify zero-energy condition before beginning work.
- Perform maintenance or servicing activities.
- Inspect work area before restoring equipment.
- Ensure tools and personnel are clear of hazards.
- Remove locks and tags only by authorized personnel.
- Notify affected workers before equipment is restarted.
- Restore equipment to normal operation and verify proper function.
Documentation Needed
- Equipment-specific lockout procedures.
- Maintenance work orders.
- Service and repair records.
- Lockout/tagout logs if used by the company.
- Employee notification records when required.
- Photos of unusual lockout configurations if needed.
- Equipment startup verification records.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to identify all energy sources.
- Skipping the verification step before work begins.
- Using tags without proper isolation procedures.
- Not controlling stored energy hazards.
- Allowing someone other than the authorized worker to remove locks.
- Restarting equipment before confirming all personnel are clear.
End-of-Day / Final Review
- All maintenance work has been completed.
- All locks and tags have been properly removed.
- Equipment has been safely returned to service.
- Affected workers have been notified of startup.
- Documentation has been completed and filed.
- Work area has been cleaned and secured.
Checklist Completion
Project / Job Name
Jobsite / Location
Completed By
Role / Title
Completed Date
Completed Time
Signature
Reviewed / Approved By, if needed
Notes / Follow-Up Items
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