Three Roles Under the LOTO Standard
OSHA's Control of Hazardous Energy standard, 29 CFR 1910.147, assigns different training to different people.
| Role | Who they are | Training focus |
|---|---|---|
| Authorized | Workers who apply locks and tags to service equipment | Full procedure: energy sources, isolation, verification |
| Affected | Operators and others who use or work near the equipment | Purpose and use of the procedure — this course |
| Other | Anyone who may be in the area | Recognize LOTO and never try to restart locked equipment |
What You'll Learn
Name the hazardous energy types: electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal and gravity
Recognize lockout and tagout devices and what each one means
Follow the affected employee's rules: never touch, never remove, never restart
Explain when energy control applies and what a full LOTO procedure involves
Where Cranes Meet Lockout
Overhead bridge and gantry cranes in plants are a classic LOTO case: before a mechanic works on the runway, hoist or bridge, the crane's main disconnect has to be locked out, and anyone else working on the same runway must know the crane is out of service. Operators who earn overhead crane certification are often the affected employees in that scenario.
Mobile cranes bring stored energy of their own — hydraulic pressure in cylinders, a suspended boom or hook block, counterweight under gravity, and tensioned wire rope. Mechanics servicing them need to understand how that energy is released or blocked. Our authorized-worker LOTO course covers that procedure in depth.
The course also explains the lock-versus-tag distinction. A lock physically prevents someone from operating an energy-isolating device; a tag is only a warning, which is why tagout alone is allowed only when it gives protection equivalent to a lock. For an affected worker the practical rule is the same either way: if you see a lock or tag, the equipment is off-limits until the person who applied it releases it.
Hazards the Course Highlights
Unexpected startup
Someone flips a switch or a control system restarts a machine while hands are inside.
Stored energy release
Springs, pressurized lines and raised parts move even after the power is off.
Bypassed controls
Removing another person's lock or ignoring a tag defeats the whole system.
Who This Course Is For
- Machine and crane operators
- Production line workers
- Shop helpers and laborers
- Cleaning and janitorial staff
- Supervisors of serviced areas
What the employer provides
Employers must have a written energy control program, machine-specific procedures, locks and tags, periodic inspections of procedures, and hands-on training for authorized employees. This awareness course does not authorize anyone to lock out equipment.