The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved the reaffirmation of the American National Standard ANSI Z244.1-2003 (R2008) that aims to protect workers from hazardous energy associated with machines, equipment, or processes that could cause injury, according to a report from the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE).
The standard applies to unexpected release of hazardous energy and includes any unintended motion, start-up, or release of stored energy, deliberate or otherwise, from the perspective of the person at risk.
According to the ASSE information, lockout-tagout is the main method of hazardous energy control. However, when tasks performed on the job are routine, repetitive, and integral to the production process (or traditional lockout-tagout prohibits the completion of those tasks), the standard indicates that alternative methods of control that provide effective personal protection and are based on risk assessment specified in the standard shall be used.
Routine, repetitive and integral production processes refer to tasks that are short in duration, relatively minor in nature, occur frequently during the shift day or week, are usually performed by operators, set-up, service or maintenance personnel, and do not involve extensive disassembly.
A related article from coverage of the National Tank Truck Carriers 2008 Tank Cleaning and Environmental Council meeting is posted on bulktransporter.com.