Training Requirements for Authorized and Affected Employees
OSHA mandates that employees have the necessary knowledge and skills to comply with your company’s lockout/tagout program. It is the responsibility of the employer to verify that personnel understand the appropriate lockout/tagout components and how they apply within your specific industry.
It is also important to recognize the different types of employees defined in the lockout/tagout standard, and to ensure that each employee receives the appropriate training. An affected employee is someone who operates equipment, or works near equipment that requires lockout/tagout but who does not service or maintain it. An authorized employee is an individual who performs service or maintenance on a piece of equipment, and therefore is responsible to lock and tag it out. Training should discuss these differences and make each type of employee aware of their specific responsibilities.
In addition, OSHA requires that authorized employees must be trained to recognize hazardous energy sources. They need to understand how energy sources might be labeled inside a plant, so that they are prepared to work with them.
Further, authorized employees need to understand what types of energy exist, and the magnitudes of each type available in the workplace, so that they are aware of the risks involved. They should be trained how to isolate each type of energy source, to make sure it is controlled properly.
Affected employees simply need to understand the purpose and use of the lockout/tagout procedures. It is vital that affected employees recognize that they must not interfere with equipment that has been locked out. All other employees who may pass through the area must also have general awareness of lockout/tagout and their responsibilities.
