What does the acronym LOTO stand for?

The acronym LOTO stands for Lockout/Tagout, which refers to a safety procedure used in various industries, particularly in maintenance and repair work. This process ensures that dangerous machines are properly shut down and unable to be started up again before maintenance or servicing work is completed.

Lockout involves the use of physical locks to secure energy-isolating devices, such as switches, valves, or circuit breakers. This prevents the accidental energization of the machinery. Tagout complements this by using a tag that warns others not to turn on a machine or system while maintenance is being performed. Together, lockout and tagout procedures protect workers from hazardous energy during maintenance activities, thereby significantly reducing the risk of accidents and injuries on the job.

Understanding LOTO is crucial for anyone working in mechanical or industrial environments, as it is a central part of workplace safety standards regulated by organizations like OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).