Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)

Unexpectedly starting-up or releasing stored energy from building equipment and systems can cause serious personal injuries or fatalities. Hazardous energy, such as electricity, chemical, radiation, pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical and gravitational energy sources, must be isolated and dissipated before servicing or maintaining equipment. Hazardous energy controls are generally known as Lockout/Tagout, or LOTO, and consist of locks and tags applied to energy-isolating device(s) on equipment that contains the hazardous energy source(s).

EH&S manages the LOTO Program for campus and provides guidance through training, safe work practices and job hazard analyses. This program is applied prior to working on all types of equipment powered by one or more energy sources, whenever an equipment guard is removed, a safety interlock is bypassed, or whenever a person must place any part of their body into potentially-operating equipment.

EHS is currently developing a LOTO training. This training will be required every 2 years for anyone who conducts LOTO work.

The LOTO program is currently being updated. Check back here for a copy of the program once the update is complete.

Contact EH&S for LOTO guidance at ehs@colorado.edu