Which statement correctly describes who may perform lockout/tagout procedures?

• A. Only authorized personnel may perform lockout/tagout procedures.
• B. Any employee may perform with training.
• C. External contractors may perform.
• D. It is optional during maintenance.

Answer: (A)

Lockout/tagout protects workers by preventing unexpected machine start-up or energy release during maintenance. The essential rule is that only authorized personnel may perform lockout/tagout procedures, meaning individuals who have been formally designated and trained to recognize energy sources, understand the equipment’s hazards, and apply the correct locks and tags. Training is important, but it doesn’t automatically grant authorization—the person must be officially assigned to perform LOTO and understand their responsibilities for applying and removing the devices. External contractors can perform LOTO only if they are granted authorization under the site’s program, not by default. And LOTO isn’t optional during maintenance; it’s required whenever servicing could expose workers to energy hazards.