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Lockout/Tagout Systems – What is Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)?

Universal lockout tagout cable device used for securing multiple gate valves simultaneously

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) is a planned and essential safety measure that protects your employees from electrical and mechanical hazards. It involves shutting down energy sources on machines and equipment while necessary maintenance or repair work is being carried out.

The benefits at a glance:

  • Workplace safety is increased
  • Reduction of injury-related and indirect costs
  • Reduced downtime

Through the targeted use of Lockout/Tagout, you improve workplace safety in your company and reduce the number of occupational accidents. A well-organized Lockout/Tagout program minimizes downtime, makes the maintenance process more efficient, and guarantees the elimination of time-consuming verification tasks.

System Types

There is a wide range of Lockout/Tagout products and aids available. Our partner Brady is a market-leading provider of lockout systems and identification products, allowing us to offer you a comprehensive assortment. We are certain to find the perfect solution for your individual requirements!

For a better overview, the products can be broadly categorized as follows:

  • Padlocks: These include safety locks, brass locks, and non-conductive locks.
  • Lockout Devices: These include universal valve lockouts and various switch lockouts, for example, for circuit breakers, mushroom buttons, and emergency stop switches.
  • Tagout: This is the labeling of the lockout point, which indicates who locked out the specific point, when, and why.
  • Group Lockout Boxes and Lock Stations: Used for the organized storage of LOTO products (Shadowboards).
  • The cloud-based software LINK360TM: This allows visual instructions for safety procedures to be created, scaled, updated, and validated.
Red group lock box with two safety padlocks attached for collective lockout procedures
Red circuit breaker lockout device with safety padlock to prevent accidental re-energization

Legal Regulations

Companies are subject to their respective country-specific legal regulations for occupational safety and must ensure compliance. The implementation of Lockout/Tagout is already legally required in many EU countries and is considered best practice throughout the entire European Union.

In Germany, for example, the Industrial Safety Regulation (BetrSichV) stipulates that all control devices must be arranged, designed, or secured in such a way that unintentional activation is prevented in all cases. Austrian companies are subject to, among others, the Work Equipment Regulation (AM-VO), which ensures the protection of employees when using work equipment. The use of Lockout/Tagout systems can make a significant contribution to workplace safety and support your company in complying with these regulations.

Lockout – Mechanical Hazards

Mechanical hazards primarily originate from moving machine parts, drives, and workpieces. Benefit from our user-friendly and versatile devices designed to reliably protect you from these mechanical risks.

Mechanical flange lockout device with a red hasp and two differently colored safety padlocks
Red safety padlock on an electrical breaker panel for safe energy isolation during maintenance

Lockout – Electrical Hazards

Electric current is a hazard that can neither be seen, smelled, nor heard. It is difficult to detect, but with our safe and effective methods, you can protect your employees from these dangers. Lockout systems—physical locking mechanisms—ensure significantly higher safety standards. This is particularly crucial for the well-being of employees during maintenance or cleaning work.

The visible device provides a clear indication of the lockout, effectively preventing potential harm.

Tagout – Safety Tags

Tagout refers to the conspicuous labeling on lockout devices that indicates deactivated machines and equipment. Maintenance tags and stickers with appropriate warning notices are ideally suited for this purpose. With our Tagout systems, restarting machinery during maintenance and repair work is effectively prevented, as our products are user-friendly and easily recognizable for your employees.We offer a wide range of padlocks, lockout labels, tags, or complete sets to ensure you are optimally equipped for any situation.
Stack of lockout tagout safety tags with a checklist for the correct shutdown sequence
Comprehensive lockout tagout set including colorful safety padlocks hasps and documentation tags

Locks and Lockout Hasps

Whether electrical or mechanical, padlocks and lockout hasps ensure increased safety with easier oversight within the company. Ideally, these safety measures are lightweight and compact, as this facilitates versatile use across various applications. Complementary accessories should not be overlooked, as they further optimize the lockout process.

We offer an extensive range of different padlocks, lockout hasps, and related products, and we are happy to provide you with expert advice on the best solutions for your needs.

Safety Control Systems

Proper safety labeling makes work safer and maximizes productivity. We provide the safety identification and signage you need. Simply select a category below that fits your specific application.

  • Barrier and Marking Systems
  • Logistics Marking
  • Pipe and Valve Identification
  • Label Printers
  • Safety Signage
  • Software for Safety Identification
Open yellow lockout station on a pegboard featuring safety padlocks tags and lockout devices for industrial maintenance
Mobile lockout tagout kit featuring carrying bags case and a variety of lockout devices

Accessories

The distinction between accessories and essential components is not always easy.
"Every 15 seconds, a worker dies, and 160 more suffer a work-related accident." (International Labour Organization, 2015).

A lack of employee safety and cutting costs in the wrong places have severe long-term consequences. Regardless of the industry, health is the most important asset—for your company and for your employees.
To implement the right products for maintenance safety or Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), you also need the right accessories to provide your employees with even better protection against hazards.

Shadowboard Cabinets

Organization is an essential building block when it comes to improving your operational structure. Shadowboards support you in organizing your Lockout/Tagout locks, lockout devices, and padlocks, making an essential contribution to the improvement of your quality management. By using silhouettes, shadowboards indicate which accessory belongs where, ensuring that employees immediately recognize the absence of tools, lockout devices, or accessories.

We manufacture individual, custom-made shadowboards that exactly meet your specific needs!

Advantages and Practice

Ensure optimal, material-friendly, and organized storage of your lockout devices, tools, and accessories so that your employees have the required tools quickly and easily at hand and can rapidly shut down energy sources if necessary.

The advantages of shadowboards summarized at a glance:

  • Order at the workplace
  • Fewer workplace accidents
  • Reduction of non-productive activities
  • Optimization of work processes

Optimize the provision of lockout devices and padlocks and support your access control systems, Lockout/Tagout locks, and maintenance projects with the help of our shadowboards.

Organized shadow board for storing safety padlocks and mechanical lockout components in a workshop
Offene gelbe Lockout Station an einer Lochwand mit Sicherheitsschlössern Anhängern und Absperreinrichtungen für industrielle Wartung

Security Control Systems & Access Solutions

Proper safety identification increases workplace safety and maximizes productivity. We offer the high-quality safety labeling and industrial signage you need. Simply select a category below that fits your specific application.

  • Barricade and Marking Systems
  • Logistics Marking \& Labeling
  • Pipe and Valve Identification
  • Industrial Label Printers
  • Safety Signage \& Compliance Signs
  • Safety Identification Software
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