Abstract

According to CNESST data, almost four deaths and 1,000 accidents occur annually during work on equipment with poorly controlled or uncontrolled energy. Lockout is the main method provided in Quebec regulations to reduce the risks associated with hazardous situations on equipment during maintenance, repair, inspection, adjustment, cleaning, unjamming and other such work.

This research is intended to provide an overview of equipment lockout practices in different industries. Considerations identified as problematic in previous research will be specifically examined (e.g., verification of the lockout procedure, activities of short duration, unjamming, repairs requiring energy, subcontracting, audits). The researchers are seeking to understand how companies cope with these challenges, identify existing solutions and develop a lockout diagnostic tool.