Affected employees will be notified of lockout activities verbally by authorized employees prior to and during implementation of LOTO procedures.

Affected employees will be notified of lockout activities verbally by authorized employees prior to and during implementation of LOTO procedures.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only in writing
• D. Only after completion

Answer: (A)

The important idea is that there must be clear communication with anyone who could be affected by a lockout. Before you apply energy-isolation devices and again during the lockout, the authorized person should inform affected employees that a lockout is in place, why it’s happening, and how long it’s expected to last. Verbal notification is a valid and common way to do this, ensuring everyone knows not to energize or bypass the equipment. Writing the notice or waiting until after the work is finished would not meet the safety intent, because people wouldn’t be aware of the hazard during the shutdown.

The important idea is that there must be clear communication with anyone who could be affected by a lockout. Before you apply energy-isolation devices and again during the lockout, the authorized person should inform affected employees that a lockout is in place, why it’s happening, and how long it’s expected to last. Verbal notification is a valid and common way to do this, ensuring everyone knows not to energize or bypass the equipment. Writing the notice or waiting until after the work is finished would not meet the safety intent, because people wouldn’t be aware of the hazard during the shutdown.