PROVIDENCE – The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is looking for information to potentially update its Control of Hazardous Energy Lockout/Tagout standard, the organization announced.
OSHA is seeking comments on the use of control-circuit-type devices to isolate energy, in addition to evolving robotic technology, by Aug. 19.
OSHA wants to know how employers are using control-circuit devices, as well as what kinds and which safety procedures are in place. It’s also looking for input on the limitations of use, risks connected with hazardous-energy exposure due to more interaction with robots, and whether the agency should consider standard changes to address any new risks.
The existing LOTO standard was published in 1989. It requires all energy sources in machinery be controlled during maintenance procedures with energy-isolating devices. Technological advances, however, may mean that control-circuit-type devices are now safer to use in this realm than they once were.
For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
Susan Shalhoub is a PBN contributing writer.
