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- LOTO: Authorized vs. Affected
Welcome back, let’s Build Smart & Build Safe! Yesterday, we defined what Lockout/Tagout is. Today, we focus on your specific role in that process. In the world of LOTO, there are two groups of people: Authorized and Affected. Understanding which one you are—and where the line is drawn—is the difference between a smooth shift and a life-altering accident.
Knowing the Players
Many companies treat safety as a "one size fits all" rule, but LOTO requires clear boundaries. You need to know where you stand before the work starts.
The Authorized Employee: This is the person who actually applies the locks. They have been specifically trained to identify every energy source on a machine and "zero it out." They are the only ones allowed to put a lock on, and the only ones allowed to take it off.
The Affected Employee: This is the most common role on a job site. If you operate the machine, or if your work requires you to be in an area where a machine is locked out, you are "Affected." You don't have a key to the lock, but your safety depends entirely on that lock staying in place.
The "Line of Authority": The most dangerous thing an Affected employee can do is try to do an Authorized person's job. If a machine isn't working, you don't "poke around" to find out why. You call the Authorized person.
The Responsibility of the "Affected"
Being an Affected employee isn't a passive role. You are the "eyes and ears" of the LOTO system.
The Notification Check: Before an Authorized person locks out a machine you usually operate, they are required to tell you. If you see someone working on your equipment and they haven't talked to you, stop them. Communication is part of the procedure.
The "Hands-Off" Mandate: You are strictly prohibited from attempting to restart, re-energize, or "test" equipment that is locked out. Even if you think the work is done, you wait for the Authorized person to officially clear the site and remove the hardware.
The Awareness Scan: If you are working near a LOTO zone, be aware of "re-energization" tests. Sometimes the Authorized person has to briefly turn the power back on to test a repair. Stay clear of the machine until you get the "All Clear."
Implementation: Professional Boundaries
Before you begin your tasks today:
Know Your Status: If you haven't been specifically trained and "Authorized" by this company for a specific machine, do not touch the energy isolation points (breakers, valves, or plugs).
Verify the Tag: If you are an Affected worker, you have the right to look at the tag on a lock to see who is working. It helps you know who to talk to if you have questions about the schedule.
Respect the Barrier: Treat a red lock like a physical wall. You wouldn't walk through a brick wall; don't try to work "around" a lockout.
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-The Safety Man
