Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00422:body:0:p30
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00422
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 73815–76551

repair, installation and cleaning of plant.

Isolation procedures involve the isolation of all forms of potentially hazardous energy so that the plant does not move or start up accidentally. Isolation of plant also ensures that entry to a restricted area is controlled while the specific task is being carried out.

The lock-out process is the most effective isolation procedure. The process is as follows:
    * shut down the machinery and equipment
    * identify all energy sources and other hazards
    * identify all isolation points
    * isolate all energy sources
    * control or de-energise all stored energy
    * lock out all isolation points
    * tag machinery controls, energy sources and other hazards, and
    * test by 'trying' to reactivate the plant without exposing the tester or others to risk. Failure to reactivate the plant means that the isolation procedure is effective and that all stored energies have dissipated. This may require further measures to safely release these energies, for example hydraulic or pneumatic pressure, suspended weight or compressed springs.
In order for the isolation procedure to be effective, you should identify all energy sources likely to activate the plant or part of it and isolate or de-energise these to avoid the plant being inadvertently powered. Energy sources include:
    * electricity (mains)
    * battery or capacitor banks
    * solar panels
    * fuels
    * heat
    * steam
    * fluids or gases under pressure (water, air, steam or hydraulic oil)
    * stored energy (e.g. compressed springs)
    * gravity, and
    * radiation.
In order to isolate plant you should use a device that effectively locks out the isolation points.  These devices include switches with built-in locks and lock-out circuit breakers, fuses and valves. Other devices include chains, safety lock-out jaws (also known as hasps) and safety padlocks.

When isolating an energy source you should use a lock that allows one or more padlocks to be fitted. If more than one person is working on the plant at the same time, you should ensure that each worker is able to attach a padlock to the device (see Figure 9). This will prevent access to the energy sources while the work is being carried out.

Figure 9 Example of lock-out with a tag and the padlocks of two workers

Another way to allow multiple locks to be used is to have one padlock on the isolation point, with the keys locked in a box that has been locked separately by each worker.

Each worker involved in the maintenance, cleaning or repair of the plant should have a lock, tag and key for each isolation point. There should be no duplicate key for any lock, except a master key that is kept in a secure location and should