Intro to Millwright Practice Exam

What does lockout/tagout primarily aim to ensure during maintenance procedures?

1. Efficiency of the repair

2. Safety of personnel

3. Cost-effectiveness of operations

4. Speed of machine operation

The correct answer is: Safety of personnel

Lockout/tagout is a critical safety procedure used during maintenance and servicing of machinery. Its primary aim is to protect personnel by ensuring that machines and equipment are properly shut off and unable to be started up again before the completion of maintenance or repair work. This is achieved by using a lockout device to isolate energy sources and a tagout system to indicate that the machine should not be operated. The importance of lockout/tagout cannot be overstated, as it prevents potentially dangerous situations where machinery could inadvertently start up, which could lead to severe injuries or fatalities among workers who are servicing or repairing the equipment. While concerns about efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and speed are relevant in an operational context, they are secondary to the overarching goal of safeguarding the health and safety of workers. Without proper lockout/tagout procedures in place, any savings in time or money could lead to catastrophic accidents that would have far greater costs in terms of human life and injury.