Safe Work

Purpose

The purpose of a Lockout Program is to use personal locks to render equipment or machinery inoperable, to isolate it from an energy source or to de-energize the energy source in the case of electrical maintenance. This will prevent energy isolating devices like switches and valves being accidentally or inadvertently operated while workers are performing maintenance or cleanup on machinery or equipment. Lockout makes sure machinery and equipment won’t start up and injure a worker.

The intent of this policy is to:

• Provide direction to all workers at Northern Lights College (NLC or the College) regarding the safe maintenance, repair or cleaning of equipment, devices or fixtures where lockout is required.
• Promote safety, awareness, and understanding for the College community regarding lockout and the importance of safe work procedures.
• Establish correct procedures for lockout and de-energization of equipment as well as proper alert or tagging processes for locked out equipment.

Scope

Locations:
This policy will cover all Northern Lights College campuses, learning centers, and annexes to include store fronts, construction projects, and temporary rental properties.

Persons involved:
All members of the College population participating in any campus located event in any capacity. The College population will include faculty, staff, students, hired contractors, visitors, and guests.

Exceptions:
Companies designated PRIME CONTRACTORS that are responsible for the completion of a project or projects where they are completely responsible for directing the health and safety of their own employees and sub-contractors must use their own specific lockout program. If necessary the PRIME CONTRACTOR may be required to adopt the Northern Lights College lock out program.

Otherwise there are no exceptions to this policy, procedures or guideline standards for written instructions.

The Policy

Northern Lights College (NLC or the College) recognizes the necessity of having in place a comprehensive Lockout Program to properly protect workers from exposure to potentially hazardous energy sources. This program will comply with all NLC written safe work procedures, guidelines, the applicable WorkSafeBC OHSR and applicable WorkSafeBC Guidelines.

Applicable Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) and Workers’ Compensation Act (WCA)

Part 3 Division 3, Sections 115 General duties of employers (WCA)
Part 3 Division 3, Sections 116 General duties of workers (WCA)

Part 10 De-energization and Lockout Sections 2-12 (OHSR)
Part 3 Contents of a Health and Safety Program (OHSR) Section 3.3 Contents of program sub section (c)

Addtional Reference:

Lockout. -- 1999-“WorkSafe.”--Cover.
ISSN 1712-4719 = Lockout
1. Electric machinery - Safety measures. 2. Electric
apparatus and appliances - Safety measures.
3. Industrial safety - British Columbia. I. Workers’
Compensation Board of British Columbia. II. Title:
WorkSafe.
T55.3.L62 363.18'9 C99-960227-6

Additional Links: 

Lockout Roles and Responsibilities

NLC General Standards of Practice for Lockout

Multi-point Lockout Procedures

Written Procedure Guidelines

Lockout Definitions

Forms:

-- Created August 2008 | Revised December 2008 | Review Date August 2010 -----