What does the acronym "LOTO" stand for?

The acronym "LOTO" stands for Lockout/Tagout, which is a critical safety procedure used in various industries, especially in construction and manufacturing. This procedure is designed to ensure that machinery and equipment are properly shut off and not started up again before maintenance or service work is completed.

Lockout refers to the practice of physically locking the energy isolating devices in a safe position to prevent any accidental operation. Tagout involves placing a warning tag on the energy isolating device so that personnel are aware that the equipment must not be operated until the tag is removed by the authorized employee who applied it. Together, Lockout/Tagout protocols help protect workers from the unexpected release of hazardous energy, which can lead to serious injuries or fatalities.

Understanding the significance of LOTO is essential for anyone working in environments where machines are operated, as it promotes a culture of safety and awareness regarding equipment maintenance and operation.