More than one electrocution for every day of the year. Seven days before Norman's death, an OSHA compliance officer told his supervisor to use a 'lockout-tagout' program. According to the company, the program was being put into practice when Norman was killed. Lockout is simply a way of locking out the flow of energy from a power source to equipment or a circuit. By installing a lockout device at the power source, the power is rendered inoperable.
Locks make sure no one tampers with the energy source until it's ready to be safely reenergized.
Tagout is a method of installing a tag on the power source to alert others not to remove a lock or reenergize until proper authority is given. 1926.417 and CFR 1926.702, and in some other standards as well. Don't wait until someone is killed or hurt to review your safety plans. Assess safety programs like lockout-tagout every month, and most of all use them to train your employees properly. Think how you would feel if Norman Mull was your father, husband, friend, or co-worker.