Lockout/tagout is typically used to protect workers from which hazard?

• A. Unplanned energization during maintenance
• B. Slip and trip hazards
• C. Chemical exposure
• D. Radiation

Answer: (A)

Lockout/tagout protects workers by preventing an unexpected startup or energy release when machines are being serviced. When a machine or its energy sources are locked out, the equipment cannot be energized, and stored energy cannot be released, reducing the risk of injury to anyone working on or near it. A lock physically holds the energy source in a safe state, while a tag provides a visible warning and details about the person who applied the control and why. This approach covers electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, and other energy types that could move or energize unexpectedly during maintenance.

The other hazards listed—slip and trip hazards, chemical exposure, and radiation—are addressed through different controls (housekeeping and floor safety for slips/trips, ventilation and containment for chemicals, shielding and exposure management for radiation).