Our consultants provide expert analysis of incidents involving unintended machine start-up and contact with hazardous energy.  We take a holistic approach to understanding occupational accidents involving equipment and processes, including designs that facilitate de-energization and lock-out, procedures for preventing contact with hazardous energy, worker training, warnings, and human error.

System Lock-out / Tag-out (LOTO) matters commonly addressed:

• Factors leading to unintended machine start-up
• Methods for energy isolation and control
• System design to facilitate LOTO
• LOTO devices
• Adequacy of LOTO procedures – content and presentation
• Group LOTO procedures
• System status verification
• Program and compliance auditing
• LOTO program management
• OSHA citation evaluation
• Training and procedure communication
• Warnings and labeling
• Human Factors of non-compliance (error, behavior, etc.)

Common scenarios with Lock-out / Tag-out implications include:

• Maintenance accidents
• Improper use of machine interlocks and stop controls
• Process upsets, such as jam clearing and actuation of emergency stops
• Machine cleaning
• Adjusting, testing, re-positioning, and re-setting
• Confined space entry(e.g., de-energizing pumps and conveyors, pipe system isolation)

We provide:

• Evaluation of lock-out / tag-out programs and procedures
• Consultation on warnings and hazard communication
• Expert testimony in litigation

For more information please contact us at HumanFactorsAssignments@rimkus.com