Working in an industrial setting such as a factory puts workers in close proximity with machines that have the potential to produce a lot of energy which can be injurious if released unexpectedly. OSHA, also known Occupation Safety and Health, is a branch of the U.S. Department of Labor charged with the responsibility of enforcing rules that relate to work safety.
Lockout-tagout is a series of procedures that seek to stop the transmission of power to machinery that may not be operational or awaiting service. Lockout, simply put, refers to placing the machine electrical switch or lever in an ‘OFF’ position in order for maintenance to be carried out. Ideally, the person carrying out the repairs should be the one to perform the lockout procedure. Tagout, on the other hand, refers to an electrical switch being in an ‘ON’ position. Tagout should be accompanied by a warning signal in order to let other workers know not to come near the machine, especially if it has moving parts such as in the case of a factory grinder.
An employer who doesn’t follow OSHA Lockout-tagout protocol is liable for injuries sustained by their employer. This is because they are required by law to carry out safety and maintenance procedures to avoid this.
Employers are expected to do the following:
- Train employees correctly on who should carry out the lockout-tagout procedure and when.
- Maintain equipment and ensure that every new and operational piece can go into lockout flawlessly
- Come up with a plan which involves proper energy control
- Comply with OSHA regulations with regard to machine repair and maintenance
- Make sure employees have safety gear when they are implementing lockout-tagout
Compensation for Factory Injuries
Injuries arising from lockout-tagout procedures are life-changing and sometimes catastrophic. It’s not uncommon for people to get electrocuted, lose their limbs and even die from these types of accidents. If you were a victim, your employer and other culpable employees should answer to the law and compensate you so you can take care of your hospital bills, be reimbursed for lost wages as well as pain and suffering. Please get in touch with us for all your factory injuries today at 877-561-3004 for more information. We work on a contingency fee basis, so we only charge you if we win your case for you. Thanks for choosing us, and we look forward to hearing from you.