Question

course exam

heather is a newly trained authorized employee. shes reviewing the steps to apply tagout. she asks you when to notify the affected employees. what should you tell her?

after applying the tagout device, and before releasing the stored energy
after preparing for shutdown, and before shutting down the machine
after shutting down the machine, and before applying the tagout device
after releasing the stored energy, and before verifying the isolation

Explanation:

Identify the core requirement

The question asks when an authorized employee must notify affected employees during the lockout/tagout (LOTO) process. This involves the concept of Employee Notification Timing within the standard Lockout Tagout Steps.

Analyze OSHA standards for notification

According to OSHA standard 1910.147(c)(9), affected employees must be notified by the employer or authorized employee of the application and removal of lockout or tagout devices. Specifically, notification must take place before the controls are applied and before the machine is shut down, to ensure they are aware that the equipment will be unavailable and that a shutdown is imminent.

Evaluate the given options

• Option 1: "AFTER applying the tagout device, and BEFORE releasing the stored energy" — Incorrect. Notification must happen before any shutdown or device application begins.
• Option 2: "AFTER preparing for shutdown, and BEFORE shutting down the machine" — Correct. This aligns with the requirement to notify affected employees prior to initiating the actual shutdown of the equipment.
• Option 3: "AFTER shutting down the machine, and BEFORE applying the tagout device" — Incorrect. Affected employees must be notified before the machine is shut down.
• Option 4: "AFTER releasing the stored energy, and BEFORE verifying the isolation" — Incorrect. This is too late in the sequence.

Answer:

• (A) AFTER applying the tagout device, and BEFORE releasing the stored energy
• (B) AFTER preparing for shutdown, and BEFORE shutting down the machine (Correct answer)
• (C) AFTER shutting down the machine, and BEFORE applying the tagout device
• (D) AFTER releasing the stored energy, and BEFORE verifying the isolation