Skyline Renewable Energy — Life Critical Policy
Control of Hazardous Energy (LOTO)
Policy Summary
Product transfer equipment can start, pressurize or release stored energy without warning. No person services, clears or inspects equipment until every energy source has been isolated, locked, tagged and verified at zero energy.
Policy Topics
Identify Every Energy Source
Equipment holds more energy than the switch suggests.
- Electrical — including capacitor, battery and generator back-up.
- Stored pressure — lines, vessels, accumulators and instrument air.
- Gravity — raised parts, suspended loads, elevated fittings.
- Thermal, chemical, hydraulic and rotating kinetic energy.
Identify every source on the equipment and record it on the isolation list before a single bolt is touched.
Isolation and Verification
The six steps of lockout are not optional and cannot be reordered.
Notify everyone affected that the equipment is being shut down.
Shut down using the normal stopping sequence.
Isolate every energy source — breakers, valves, blinds, disconnects.
Apply your personal lock and tag at each isolation point.
Release or restrain stored energy — bleed pressure, block raised parts, discharge capacitors.
Verify zero energy by attempting a start and testing for voltage, pressure or flow.
A lockout without verification is not a lockout.
Locks, Tags and Personal Control
One lock, one person, one key.
- Every worker applies their own lock and tag — never lock on someone else's behalf.
- Tags carry name, date, contact and the reason for isolation.
- Never remove, bypass, cover or ignore another person's lock or tag.
- Only the person who applied a lock may remove it; removal in their absence requires formal management authorization.
- Report a missing or damaged lock immediately and stop work.
Group Lockout and Shift Change
Group work needs a shared control point.
- Use a group lock box so equipment cannot be re-energized until every lock is removed.
- Every group member applies a personal lock to the box.
- At shift change the incoming worker applies their lock before the outgoing worker removes theirs.
- Confirm the scope of isolation covers every task before work starts.
- Re-verify zero energy after any break in the job.
Demonstrate Your Understanding
Complete the compliance quiz to confirm your understanding of this life critical policy.