Question

dessa is doing service work on a machine with a single mechanical energy source. does she need to follow lockout/tagout procedures? why or why not?

no, she doesnt need to follow loto procedures. this work qualifies for the temporary testing & positioning exception. the loto procedures may not be followed for a temporary amount of time.

yes, she needs to follow loto procedures. this work qualifies for the single energy source exception, but that only applies to written company procedures. the loto procedures still need to be followed.

yes, she needs to follow loto procedures. this work qualifies for the minor servicing exception, but that only applies to written company procedures. the loto procedures still need to be followed.

yes, she needs to follow loto procedures. this work qualifies for the cord & plug exception, but that only applies to written company procedures. the loto procedures still need to be followed.

Explanation:

Analyze the scenario and question

The scenario describes Dessa doing service work on a machine with a single mechanical energy source. The question asks whether she needs to follow lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures and why or why not.

Evaluate the exceptions and LOTO requirements

Under OSHA standards, lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures must generally be followed during servicing and maintenance of machines. However, there is a specific Single Energy Source Exception (often referred to as the exception to the requirement for a documented, written LOTO procedure).

This exception applies when a machine has only a single energy source that can be readily identified and isolated. Crucially, this exception only exempts the employer from having a written company procedure for that specific machine; it does not exempt the employee from actually performing the physical lockout/tagout steps (isolating and locking out the energy source) to ensure their safety.

Match with the correct option

Let's evaluate the given choices:

• Option 1: "No, she doesn't need to follow LOTO procedures..." This is incorrect because LOTO must still be physically performed to ensure safety.
• Option 2: "Yes, she needs to follow LOTO procedures. This work qualifies for the Single Energy Source Exception, but that only applies to written company procedures. The LOTO procedures still need to be followed." This is correct. The exception only waives the requirement for a written procedure, not the physical application of LOTO.
• Option 3: "Yes, she needs to follow LOTO procedures. This work qualifies for the Minor Servicing Exception..." This is incorrect because the scenario specifically highlights a "single mechanical energy source," pointing directly to the Single Energy Source Exception.
• Option 4: "Yes, she needs to follow LOTO procedures. This work qualifies for the Cord & Plug Exception..." This is incorrect because a mechanical energy source is not isolated via a simple cord and plug.

Answer:

• (A) No, she doesn't need to follow LOTO procedures. This work qualifies for the Temporary Testing & Positioning Exception. The LOTO procedures may not be followed for a temporary amount of time.
• (B) Yes, she needs to follow LOTO procedures. This work qualifies for the Single Energy Source Exception, but that only applies to written company procedures. The LOTO procedures still need to be followed. (Correct answer)
• (C) Yes, she needs to follow LOTO procedures. This work qualifies for the Minor Servicing Exception, but that only applies to written company procedures. The LOTO procedures still need to be followed.
• (D) Yes, she needs to follow LOTO procedures. This work qualifies for the Cord & Plug Exception, but that only applies to written company procedures. The LOTO procedures still need to be followed.