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Subject:RE: Safety precautions in the US From:JB Foster <jb -dot- foster -at- shaw -dot- ca> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Sat, 18 Jan 2003 14:03:32 -0700
Hi Gunther,
It's covered under OSHA 1910.147. Unfortunately, the responsibility for
worker safety is always with the local State (and even local Counties), and
may even be the jurisdiction of the State's Worker's Comp. Also, industry
still decides what variances, to the OSHA standard, they will follow. The
only agency that may have consistent wording for 'lock-out/tag-out' is the
U.S. Forces.
Considering that most electricians should know (off by heart) the procedures
for lock-out/tag-out. Your biggest worry, with a service manual, is
due-diligence. I find that smaller companies, and individual contractors,
will tend to ignore these rules - considering them unnecessary. So, some
reference to basic electrical safety is (in my mind) wise to place in a
manual.
You might be interested in the following URL. The North Carolina Dept. Of
Labor put a good info package on the web that outlines 1910.147:
Personally, I always include something to the following effect (in repair
manuals), when the manual is destined for large organizations: '... then
follow the appropriate lock-out procedures required by your company.' Or if
the equipment is destined to smaller organizations, then a bit more detail
is appropriate: 'Disconnect Power to the unit, and follow electrical
lock-out / tag-out procedures as required.'
If Buddy One-Arm (the repairman) is going to use your manual, then
step-by-step instructions for lock-outs, might be wise. He may not bother to
read them, but at least they are (legally) there.
As always - what you place in your manual, is dependent on the audience!
Hope that helps,
Bruce
Gunther Schmidt wrote:
> A few days ago I had a discussion about safety precautions in different
> countries. A colleague has mentionend the instruction "Follow the
> lock-out
> tag-out procedure" and its special importance in this wording for
> electrical equipment in the US. Can somebody confirm the importance? On
> which standards or regulations does this base on?
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