This accident was caused by the failure to shut down or turn off the equipment to perform maintenance. It is designed to prevent the unexpected start-up, or energizing, of machinery and equipment during service and maintenance operations that could cause injury to employees. It is also designed to prevent the release of stored energy that could cause injury to employees. An associated danger zone exists during a machine operating cycle. The employee is required to place any body part into an area of the machinery or equipment where work is actually being performed upon the material being processed.
Most people immediately think of electricity as a potentially hazardous energy source.
There are other sources of energy, though, that can be just as hazardous. These energy sources include thermal, chemical, pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical and gravitational. It is important to remember that all sources of energy that have the potential to unexpectedly startup, energize or release must be identified and locked, blocked or released before servicing or maintenance is performed. Locks are to be used whenever possible. Both locks and tags must clearly indicate the identity of the employee who applied the device.