Which practice specifically involves physically isolating energy sources before maintenance?

Which practice specifically involves physically isolating energy sources before maintenance?

• A. Lockout/Tagout
• B. Grounding
• C. Bonding
• D. Current

Answer: (A)

Physically isolating energy sources before maintenance is done to prevent any unexpected energization that could injure a worker. The practice used for this is lockout/tagout. It involves identifying every energy source for the equipment, shutting it off, and then applying a lock and a warning tag to the energy-isolating device (like a valve, switch, or disconnect) so that re-energizing cannot occur until the lock is removed by the person who applied it and the area is confirmed safe. This ensures stored and residual energies are secured and workers can perform their tasks without the risk of sudden startup or release of energy. Grounding and bonding, while important for electrical safety, serve different purposes: grounding provides a path to earth for fault currents, and bonding ensures conductive parts are at the same electrical potential to prevent shock or arcing. Current by itself is not a safety practice.

Physically isolating energy sources before maintenance is done to prevent any unexpected energization that could injure a worker. The practice used for this is lockout/tagout. It involves identifying every energy source for the equipment, shutting it off, and then applying a lock and a warning tag to the energy-isolating device (like a valve, switch, or disconnect) so that re-energizing cannot occur until the lock is removed by the person who applied it and the area is confirmed safe. This ensures stored and residual energies are secured and workers can perform their tasks without the risk of sudden startup or release of energy.

Grounding and bonding, while important for electrical safety, serve different purposes: grounding provides a path to earth for fault currents, and bonding ensures conductive parts are at the same electrical potential to prevent shock or arcing. Current by itself is not a safety practice.