As part of technical safety life cycle management – Lockout–Tagout remote training with Kiwa Inspecta

Technical safety is defined as a system consisting of multiple factors, which ensures that society operates smoothly and without disruptions. Its objective is the safety of products on sale, trouble-free operation of industrial plants and the prevention of accidents.

Production environments include many kinds of devices whose life cycle phases differ from one another. Their equipment corresponds with their date of commissioning, and old machines can have deficiencies in safety compared to current requirements. The life cycle management of technical safety is therefore important for new and old equipment alike. Part of it is Lockout–Tagout, which prevents machines from starting up unexpectedly and the release of energy during repairs, helping to avoid hazardous situations that could lead to occupational accidents. Locking a machine and de-energizing it can, however, require the machine operator to enter spaces that are problematic in terms of occupational safety. This also causes technical challenges and challenges related to the equipment’s age, as the characteristics of machines differ.

The availability and visibility of the entire system is also challenging. Planning of the Lockout is time-consuming and different machines often require their own keys. Thus, the system start-up also takes up time once the locks are removed. More than one person may also operate a machine, making it even more complicated to manage the whole process. Lockout–Tagout offers a solution to these problems.

Lockout–Tagout, or LOTO for short, is an international procedure for managing accident risks, where Lockout means isolation from power sources with various types of locks or additional locking devices, and Tagout means a personal lock, tag identification or warnings. The Lockout–Tagout procedure requires that hazardous equipment is appropriately switched off, tagged and isolated from external persons.

Together, Etteplan and Kiwa have created a Lockout–Tagout remote course. The training is meant for persons working in the repair and maintenance of various machinery, who require technical or administrative basic information on the Lockout–Tagout procedures. The course is also an excellent fit for persons dealing with companies’ occupational safety issues. The training takes place remotely, allowing participants to join from any location.

Kiwa’s customers who take the course receive knowhow in safe de-energising. The Lockout–Tagout machine safety training enables persons carrying out repair and maintenance work on industrial equipment and systems, as well as administrative personnel to understand the importance of preventing accidental activation, and to be aware of practices related to the Lockout–Tagout procedures.

Etteplan was selected to participate in the implementation of the course because Kiwa recognised Etteplan’s competencies and high-quality work in technical safety and occupational safety. The training offers tools for the different Lockout stages and expands Kiwa’s offering.