Table of Contents:

1. General
2. Procedure
3. Operating Systems and Facilities
4. Automatic Sprinkler System Outrages
5. Files/Forms

Section 1: General

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1. Danger tags and locks shall be used to prohibit operation of a valve, switch, or piece of equipment when injury or property damage could result from the operation. No work that could cause injury or property damage is to take place on any operable equipment and/or system until its operation has been prevented by such a procedure. It should be noted that both pressurized systems and electrical systems containing capacitors may have potential energy that can cause injury if tagging procedures are not followed.
2. The WNC Facilities Director will designate tagging supervisors for each campus. That tagging supervisor(s) will be the individual responsible for Danger Tag and Lock Program implementation on each campus.
3. For large construction or renovation projects as identified by the WNC Facilities Director, a project-tagging supervisor shall be assigned. The tagging procedures of all outside contractors shall conform in principle to this Environmental Health and Safety Danger Tag and Lock Program.
4. Environmental Health and Safety will work with Facilities and update this procedure as necessary. In addition they will supply periodic inspections of program compliance.
5. EH&S will also supply employee training and training updates as required.
6. All Supervisors, Managers and Academic Directors are responsible for ensuring that no work is performed on operating systems beyond the protection of the locks and tags installed. Accordingly switches, valves, and equipment that are tagged and locked shall not be operated and in addition tags and locks shall not be removed.

Section 2: Procedure

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1. Only a standard danger tag will be used. These red, white, and black tags must comply with Attachment A (If contractor tags are used, they must contain the same information and shall be of similar format.)
2. Tags must be signed and affixed by the appropriate tagging supervisor. Each tagging supervisor must maintain a tag log; see Attachment B. All tags will be dated, signed, titled, and attached securely. The tag stub as appropriate shall be maintained by the individual who placed the tag.
3. NO DEVICE, EQUIPMENT, or SYSTEM shall be operated with a tag or lock attached regardless of circumstances.
4. Tags are never to be re-used, but destroyed immediately on removal. No alterations to the tag are permitted.
5. The installation of a lock must be accompanied by a tag to clearly identify who placed the lock. The information on a tag must be complete.
6. No person shall remove anothers tag or lock unless the WNC Facilities Director approves that action: then and only then may the tag be removed. The Facilities Directors actions must comply with 29 CFR 1910.147 e (3) (I) and (II) and (III).
7. It is the responsibility of the tagging supervisor and the Facilities Director to establish a smooth transition for shift work if required.
8. Locks and tags are not a substitute for the Facilities Departments responsibility for breaking flanges, placing blanks, draining, and otherwise decontaminating equipment or systems.
9. The tagging supervisor may place multi-lock devices if other personnel or contractors are involved in shutdown of the equipment or system.
10. On complex lockouts where many personnel are involved, the responsible facilities tagging supervisor may, with the approval of Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator, jointly place tags and locks in behalf of all involved. Such tags and locks also must be removed jointly with the approval and knowledge of all involved parties.

Section 3: Operating Systems and Facilities

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1. Electrically Operated Systems
   1. The tagging supervisor first opens switch, then places lock and tag, and then tries to operate equipment. (Facilities Department will determine whether fuses and/or heaters will be removed in addition to locking out switches. Simple systems may not require fuse and/or heater removal, whereas complex, inter-locked systems may.)
   2. Other workers and contractor can request that the tagging supervisor place tags over existing tags and locks to prevent their removal lockout device. These tags must contain complete information.
   3. Upon complication of work, the tagging supervisor must remove tags and locks in the opposite order that they were installed. The tagging supervisor can remove the lock and tag only when the worker relinquishes that stub and key and is clear of the system.
   4. When the last lock and tag is removed, the tagging supervisor will then re-energize the system.
2. ANY PERSON WHO OPERATES A VALVE, SWITCH, OR DEVICE TO WHICH DANGER TAGS ARE ATTACHED, OR REMOVES SUCH A TAG WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION, WILL BE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH WNCS POLICIES.

Section 4: Automatic Sprinkler System Outrages

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1. During outages of fire alarm or operating sprinkler systems in addition to the lock-out tag-out requirements outlined above; the Facilities Department shall inform the building alarm contractor and appropriate administrative personnel including Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator of the extent of the outage.This will allow proper insurance and other notifications to be made.

Section 5: Files/Forms

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1. Appendix A: Lock Out Tag Example
2. Appendix B: Log of Locks and Tags

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