What does lockout/tagout (LOTO) aim to achieve?

Lockout/tagout (LOTO) is a crucial safety procedure used to ensure that dangerous machines or equipment are properly shut off and unable to be started up again until maintenance or servicing is completed. The primary goal of LOTO is to render machinery inoperable or to isolate energy sources that could pose a risk of injury to workers. This involves using locks and tags to prevent the accidental re-energization of machinery during maintenance.

By effectively isolating energy sources and rendering the equipment inoperable, LOTO protects workers from the hazards associated with accidental machine start-up. Such protection is essential in maintaining a safe working environment and is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions for workplaces that involve machinery.

The focus of LOTO on the safe management of hazardous energy clearly differentiates it from the other listed choices. While maximizing production output, improving ergonomics, and ensuring equipment operability are important aspects of overall workplace efficiency and safety, they do not capture the specific intent of LOTO, which is strictly about preventing equipment from being re-energized while maintenance is performed.