What is the purpose of a lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedure in industrial maintenance?

• A. To document maintenance work for management.
• B. To ensure machines are safely de-energized and cannot be started during maintenance.
• C. To calibrate control system sensors.
• D. To improve production throughput.

Answer: (B)

Lockout/tagout procedures are about preventing unexpected energization during maintenance. They ensure that machines are safely de-energized and cannot be started until the work is finished and the locks and tags are removed by the authorized person. This involves identifying all energy sources, shutting down the equipment, isolating those sources, applying a physical lock (the lockout) and a warning tag (the tagout), and then verifying that there is zero energy before work begins. This protects workers from sudden startups or the release of stored energy, which can cause serious injuries.

Other options don’t fit as well. Documenting maintenance is useful, but LOTO’s primary goal is safety through energy isolation, not record-keeping. Calibrating sensors is unrelated to preventing unexpected machine movement. Aiming to improve throughput addresses efficiency, not worker safety during maintenance.