Ensuring workplace safety is nonnegotiable, particularly in industries like cannabis that rely heavily on complex machinery and processing equipment. The Lockout Tagout (LOTO) process is a prominent safety protocol to prevent accidents during equipment servicing or maintenance.
Understanding and implementing LOTO correctly can save lives, prevent injuries, and protect your business. Here are a few things to know about lockout tagout processes in the cannabis industry.
What Is the Lockout Tagout (LOTO) Process?
LOTO is a safety procedure designed to ensure dangerous machines are completely powered down and unable to operate while being serviced or maintained. Locks prevent equipment from being turned on, while tags communicate warnings to employees. The process typically involves shutting down equipment, isolating energy sources, locking and tagging controls, and verifying that no energy remains.
The Key Components of LOTO: Lock, Tag, and Verify
LOTO relies on three fundamental actions—locking, tagging, and verifying. Locks secure the equipment to ensure it cannot operate. Tags act as a visual warning, indicating why equipment has been taken off-line and by whom.
Finally, verification ensures there’s no residual energy and confirms the equipment cannot restart. Without all three steps, the process could fail and put employees at risk.
Cannabis Processing Equipment Requires Special Consideration
Cannabis processing equipment presents unique challenges within the LOTO framework. Extraction tools, for example, often involve compressed gases or voltages high enough to cause injury.
Improperly deactivating the energy sources before maintenance could be disastrous. Business owners need to identify all potential energy hazards connected to each piece of equipment and define precise steps for locking, tagging, and verifying the systems.
Training Is Essential for a Safe Workplace
LOTO is only effective when employees understand how to implement it. Employee training should include recognizing hazardous energy sources, following lockout and tagout procedures, and verifying energy shutdowns.
Regular training updates are also essential, particularly when introducing new equipment or refining processes. This will make sure every team member is confident in using LOTO correctly.
Safety Tips To Prevent Cardboard Baling Accidents
If your cannabis business uses compactors or balers to manage waste, these machines also fall under LOTO protocols. Operators must lock out and tag out the baler before performing any maintenance or removing jammed material.
Verification is crucial here, too, as these machines store energy that might release unpredictably. Ensuring compliance with LOTO during cardboard baling protects employees from serious injuries caused by moving parts or energy release.
The risks of skipping LOTO can be severe. For cannabis business owners, this process is about safeguarding employees, maintaining productivity, and building a responsible brand reputation. Proper implementation of LOTO ensures that your team can work confidently and safely, enabling your business to thrive in a highly competitive industry. After carefully identifying what you should know about lockout tagout processes, take the initiative to protect your staff and production.
