The 6 Steps of Lockout/Tagout

When machines or equipment are being prepared for service or maintenance, they often contain some form of “hazardous energy” that can harm workers in the area. There are several forms of hazardous energy that need to be identified and dealt with before beginning service or maintenance work on any piece of equipment. This could include energy of the following types: Chemical, Electrical, Hydraulic, Mechanical, Pneumatic, or Thermal

Without the use of proper Lockout/Tagout safety procedures, the equipment being worked on can unexpectedly start up or release these forms of energy. This can lead to injuries and even death of the person working on the equipment or near it.

Just consider a few examples of the dangers of hazardous energy release:

• An authorized worker is working on an electric panel that hasn’t been properly locked out and another worker comes along and turns on the power resulting in the authorized worker being electrocuted.

• A worker is attempting to pull some barbed wire out of a mower blade that got caught up while mowing. He raises the mower so he can crawl under and get to the wire. He fails to block the mowing unit and while he is working under it, it falls on him and crushes him.

These two examples of hazardous energy are what Lockout/Tagout is all about. Making sure these types of hazardous situations are controlled keeps workers safe.

Every municipality should have an Energy Control Program in place. This program should include established procedures for using locks and tags before beginning service and maintenance of machines and equipment. Train employees to understand the hazardous energy and lockout/tagout procedures that must be followed to service or begin maintenance on the equipment they work with. Policies, procedures, and equipment must be reviewed or inspected at least annually.

A lockout/tagout procedure should include the following 6 steps:

1. Preparation -The authorized employee (person performing the service/maintenance) must investigate and have complete understanding of all types of hazardous energy that must be controlled on a machine or piece of equipment. It is important that they identify the specific hazards and know how to control the energy.

2. Shut Down – Power down the machine or equipment. Inform employees that will be affected by the shutdown of the equipment.

3. Isolation – Make sure all sources of energy have been isolated. Turn off power, close valves, block moving parts, or disengage and block lines, etc.

4. Lockout/Tagout – The authorized employee will attach locks and tags to all energy isolating devices in such a way that they are in an off or closed position and cannot be moved or switched on to an unsafe position. Adding a tag to the lock out device with the authorized person’s name and contact information will give affected employees further information if they have questions about why the equipment is locked.

5. Stored Energy Check – Even after the energy source has been disconnected and the machine has been locked out, it doesn’t entirely guarantee there are no hazardous energies still stored within the machine or that it is safe to perform maintenance. It is important to double check and look for any energy that has been “stored” or any “residual” energies. During this phase of the procedure these must be relieved, disconnected, restrained, or made non-hazardous is some other way.

6. Isolation Verification – This last step is about “making sure”. You’ve shut down the machine, isolated it from its power source, locked all unexpected start up components out, checked for “stored” or “residual” energies, have assured yourself you have correctly followed all procedures and are confident the machine/equipment is now safe to work on.

After the service or maintenance work is complete then you must restore and re-energize the equipment. Ensure all tools, parts, and debris have been removed from the area. Double check to make sure all equipment components are back in place. Replace any safety features, machine guards, and close all access panels. Remove all locks and tags and inform all affected employees the work is complete, and you are about to re-energize the machinery. Have all employee stand back in a safe area and start up equipment to ensure it is running properly.

Everybody is busy with their day to day work, but we must make sure we have written policies and procedures regarding the service and maintenance of our equipment. Taking the time to identify the steps needed to safely work on equipment, training our employees to understand and protect against hazardous energies, and reviewing efforts to keep machinery and equipment safely maintained will better protect workers from senseless injury or even death.

Face Mask Hygiene

Part of Wearing a Face Mask is Washing It

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended wearing face masks in public to slow the spread of Covid-19. It is important to know how to properly wash, disinfect, and handle reusable cloth masks.

Pathogens like bacteria and viruses can live on cloth fabric for longer than we may think – 8 to 12 hours. Because we don’t know what germs we’ve been in contact with or how long the germs have been active on the cloth fibers in our mask, it is crucial to regularly wash, sanitize, and dry reusable masks.

Here is how to clean, disinfect, and dry your cloth masks. It may be time-consuming to wash a mask daily (after each use), but it is essential to prevent germ transmission. First, have several reusable face masks available to you and rotate their use. Always have a fresh clean mask ready to use. Masks made of cotton material stand up best to hand or machine washing using bleach or other disinfectants. They are the easiest to clean and dry properly. Start off by washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap before and after handling soiled masks.

Follow these steps to launder your masks:

1. Remove detachable parts like interior filters or elastic ear bands from a folded scarf/bandana before washing.

2. Use a mesh laundry bag to reduce entanglement with other clothes during the wash.

3. Set machine water temperature too high or use water that is 140 degrees or higher. Use your washer’s “sanitize” cycle if it has one.

4. Add a detergent that contains disinfectant or bleach to ensure you are killing as many germs as possible. If you are washing by hand prepare a bleach solution (5 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water), soak for at least 5 minutes, and rinse thoroughly.

5. Dry masks on the highest dryer setting or air dry in direct sunlight. Because household dryers’ temperatures rarely reach the threshold temperature you need for disinfection, consider adding a disinfectant dryer sheet to the load. Also, ultra-violet light from the sun can kill up to 99.99% of pathogens on the mask. Turn the mask over halfway through the drying process or hang them. They need to stay out in the sun for at least an hour.

Face mask hygiene:

• Always wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before putting on your mask.

• Make sure your mask is facing the right direction, so your face is not touching the mask exterior.

• Wear your mask snuggly over both your nose and mouth.

• Try not to touch the mask while you are wearing it.

• When removing the mask, touch only the attached strings or elastic bands. Hold it or place the mask on a sanitized surface until you are ready to wear it again or throw it directly into the washing machine when you get home.

• Finally, wash your hands again.

OMAG Press Release (Daniel Tarkington Re-elected to Board of Trustees)

OMAG is pleased to announce that Daniel Tarkington, Mayor of the City of Checotah, has been re-elected to the OMAG Board of Trustees for another three-year term. He has served on the OMAG Board since being appointed in 2018 and is currently the Board Secretary.

Daniel is a member of the Mayor’s Council of Oklahoma and a graduate of the OML Leadership Class VI. He began his municipal career as a Checotah employee but successfully ran for Mayor in 2015. Since becoming Mayor, he has been instrumental in revitalizing the community. Under Daniel’s guidance, the City has held two festivals, significantly improved the City’s curb appeal along Highway 69 and Interstate 40, and is preparing to move into a new City Hall.

Mayor Tarkington is devoted to his wife Jamie, daughter RayLynn, and they are looking forward to a new addition coming soon. Although Daniel works long hours for Checotah, occasionally you may find him on one of the local dirt tracks where he is a very successful race car driver.

Please take a moment to congratulate Mayor Tarkington on his re-election to the OMAG Board.

OMAG Press Release (Pam Polk Re-elected to Board of Trustees)

The Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group is pleased to announce that Pam Polk, City Manager of the City of Collinsville, has been re-elected to the OMAG Board of Trustees for another three-year term. Pam has served on the OMAG Board since she was appointed in 2004 and is currently the Board Chair.

Pam has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She began her municipal career in 1996 as the City Clerk of the City of Mangum and then became its City Manager. In 2005 Pam was appointed as the City Manager in Collinsville.

Pam is very well respected by her peers as a progressively responsible, results-oriented manager and in 2017 she was presented with the Gerald Wilkins Award for Oklahoma City Manager of the Year by the City Managers Association of Oklahoma. And in 2019 Pam was further honored by being inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials

Please take a moment to congratulate Pam Polk on her re-election to the OMAG Board.

OMAG Press Release (Tim Lyon appointed to Board of Trustees)

The Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group is pleased to announce that Tim Lyon, City Manager for the City of Midwest City, has been newly elected to the OMAG Board of Trustees.

Tim has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University. In 1986 he began his municipal career as the Administrative Assistant to the Edmond City Manager. Tim then worked for the Center for Local Government Technology at OSU and was the Deputy Director of the Association of County Commissioners, where among other duties he helped manage their workers’ compensation and property and casualty pools. In 2000, he became the Human Resources Director for Midwest City and then served as the Assistant City Manager. In 2019, Tim was appointed City Manager.

Tim and his wife, Rhonda, have two adult children. Their son is a firefighter in Stillwater and their daughter is a registered nurse.

Please take a moment to congratulate Tim Lyon on his election to the OMAG Board.

Basic Office Safety Tips

Slips and falls are the most frequent cause of injuries in the workplace, and people working in an office are twice as likely to be injured by falling than people who are working in other types of workplaces. Keeping alert and thinking ahead can help minimize the risk.

Protecting Your Body from Injuries -- Use basic common sense in your daily activities around the office. That means:

Sit upright in your chair, with your feet touching the floor when you're working at your desk. Before sitting down, look to make sure your chair is beneath you and hasn't rolled away.

Look where you're going whenever you're walking around the office.

Walk, don't run.

Go slowly if the floor is wet or otherwise slippery.

Don't read while walking.

Always hold the handrail when using stairs.

Immediately wipe up spilled beverages, water tracked in by wet shoes or drippings from umbrellas. Ask a custodian to do the cleaning if you don't have time to do it yourself.

Obey your building's (no) smoking rules, and don't throw matches, ashes, or cigarette butts into regular trash.

Get up and stretch or walk around. This can help prevent injuries while promoting circulation.

Equipment and Furniture-Related Safety -- Whether you are moving furniture, carrying items, or operating machinery, make sure you are aware of health-related hazards. If you need assistance with anything or are unsure of how to do something, it is always best to ask a supervisor. Keep in mind:

Don't touch electrical outlets, plugs, or switches with wet hands.

Keep the floors and aisles clear of electrical cords. Use surge protectors and cable ties to manage the wiring.

Refrain from eating or drinking at a computer station. Spills and crumbs could get into the keyboard and cause malfunctions.

If you must carry anything from one place to another, don't stack things up so high that you can't see directly in front of you.

When carrying boxes, use the elevator if available.

Only open one drawer in a filing cabinet at a time to keep it from tipping over.

Close desk or file cabinet drawers before walking away so others don't walk into them.

Store supplies inside of cabinets or bookcases, and place heavier items in the lower drawers or shelves.

Reporting Unsafe Structural Issues -- Anytime you see something unsafe, report it to your facilities management department or supervisor. Things you might want to point out include sightings of: torn carpet, loose tiles, wobbly steps or floorboards, burned-out lightbulbs, broken chairs or desks and other defective equipment, stray electrical cables or obstructions in walkways.  Also report possible unauthorized visitors within your facility.

Technology and Internet Health and Safety -- With computers the norm in most offices, it's important to keep in mind health related issues that accompany heavy computer use, as well as how to prevent internet-related problems.

Never open emails sent by an unspecified sender or a sender you are unsure about. They may contain viruses that could infect your work computer.

Don't send money or personal information (such as address, credit card numbers and social security number) to anyone via email or in chat rooms.

Ensure your computer is virus protected and checked periodically by an IT Specialist.

Cyber bullying can occur in the workplace. If you experience this, document what was said and report it to your supervisor or HR department.

Staring at a computer for long periods can impact your eye health. Give yourself a break every so often to prevent your eyes from becoming too dry and avoiding strain. If your eyes do get dry, artificial tears can help alleviate discomfort.

The light from your computer can impact your circadian rhythm in a negative way causing sleep related issues. Try to dim your computer screen light as much as you can and be sure to get some fresh air and natural sunlight every day.

A safe work environment is essential for the wellbeing of employees. Being aware of hazards in the workplace and learning office safety tips goes a long way toward preventing accidents. Stay focused on safety all day every day.

General Safety Rules for Outdoor Handheld Power Tools

Whether you are using string trimmers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers or any of the many other outdoor handheld power tools, there are general safety considerations that should be followed regardless of the tool. Here is a list of safety rules suggested:

• Make sure there are no bystanders, children or pets within a 50-foot radius.

• Wear eye and ear protection equipment when operating power tools.

• Wear protective clothing. Long pants, closed-toe shoes and gloves are recommended. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry.

• Inspect the area where the power tools are to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire and other foreign objects that could interfere with the operation and cause personal injury.

• Do not operate any power tool while under the influence of alcohol, medications or drugs or when ill or fatigued.

• Never start a gasoline-powered tool inside an enclosed area. Breathing exhaust fumes can be fatal.

• Follow fueling and premixing guidelines strictly. Wipe up any fuel spillage and replace the fuel cap immediately to minimize potential for fuel contamination and explosion.

• Never leave power equipment unattended with the engine running.

• Always keep your equipment clean and in proper working order. Clean, maintain and make repairs after you have finished using your equipment daily.

• Remember that for all power equipment a “safety always” attitude is the best defense against accidents and injury.

Practicing these few guidelines will preserve your equipment and keep you and others safe from injury.

Mower Safety

If you haven’t already, let’s brush up on mowing safety procedures to increase your productivity and help keep employees free from injury. Although many users have years of mowing experience, sometimes safety precautions are overlooked. The results can be dangerous. Staying aware of conditions, knowing your machine and constantly being alert can help you avoid accidents and injury. Of course, every operator should always refer to the operator's manual for routine maintenance schedules and safety tips. Here are some general mower safety guidelines to help get you started.

Before mowing:

Dress for the job. Safety begins with the clothes you wear to work. Choose close-fitting clothes and long pants, hearing protection, eye protection, work boots with traction and heavy gloves (when handling blades). Do not wear loose-fitting clothes or jewelry, which can get caught or hung up on a machine and cause injury.

Know your machine. All mowers have some of the same basic equipment parts. For example, front-deck mowers all have features such as panel controls, seat controls, foot controls, fuel tank, fuel filter, engine oil fill and check, hydraulic oil fill and check, mower deck, grass deflector, height adjustments, radiator and air cleaner. However, every machine includes unique features, so read your operator's manual to familiarize yourself with your machine. As any minor and major machine problems arise, report them to your supervisor or mechanic. Reporting problems right away will help you avoid potential hazards.

Read warning labels and check safety features. There are dangers associated with operating any power equipment, so pay attention to all warning labels and safety features on your mower. Also, check the safety guards and devices to ensure that they are in proper working condition. Never operate your mower if your safety guards and devices are not in place.

Conduct daily inspections. Always conduct your daily mower inspections on a hard, flat surface away from the mowing area. Open the hood and check the mower's oil level. Check the hydraulic system for the appropriate level of fluid. Inspect the cooling system to make sure there is enough coolant in the radiator. Clean any debris off the screen and front of the radiator. Check the condition of your air-restriction indicator or the condition of your air cleaner and empty any debris found. Ensure that all parts, such as belts, pulleys, catchers and guards are in proper working order. Also, check the tire pressure. Always refer to your operator's manual for step-by-step start-up procedures and daily machine inspections.

Adjust the cutting height of your deck. If you are using multiple pieces of mowing equipment on the same landscape area, make sure that the height of your mower deck is consistent on all machines, so you'll have a uniform cut. Never adjust the mower height when the engine is running. All adjustments should be made while the engine is turned off.

Check your collection/discharge system. Most commercial mowers will have some combination of material collection system (MCS), side discharge or mulching system. Always check to make sure that your MCS, discharge chute and mulching attachments are properly secured and in good working order. Never start the mower if attachments are not securely fastened.

Check the fuel level. Check your mower's fuel level and fill if necessary, so that you start your day with a full tank of fuel. If you refuel during the day, move your mower to a flat, concrete surface, turn the engine off and allow the engine to cool. (Refilling after lunch or an afternoon break is convenient.) Carefully fill the fuel tank and avoid spilling. Spilled gasoline will evaporate, releasing hydrocarbon emissions into the atmosphere. Also, never smoke around gasoline.

Clear your work area. Before you begin your job, walk the mowing area and clear all hidden hazards, such as rocks, stumps and hidden debris like broken glass, bottles and miscellaneous materials. Injuries may occur from debris that is projected into the air by mower impact. Projected debris can cause injuries to operators, pedestrians and property.

Inspect your work area for nature's hazards. While inspecting your work area for debris, be on the lookout for bees, fire ants, poison ivy and poison oak. Taking note of potential area hazards will increase your productivity as well as your safety. Also, avoid improper working conditions such as overly saturated grounds, which can cause slippery conditions.

While mowing:

Make a perimeter pass. Always start your mower from the operator's seat — never while standing beside the mower. Once you are ready to mow, engage the PTO. When engaging the blades, do so at the lowest recommended engine setting rather than at full throttle. Release the brake and gradually depress the foot pedal to begin forward motion. Start by making a perimeter pass with the discharge chute or grass catcher to the inside — that is, away from the sidewalk, pavement, curb or whatever structure borders the turf. This will keep the mower from hitting curbs, trees, bushes and any other obstacles. The perimeter pass will allow you to make U-turns in the grass, thereby avoiding tire and grass stains on the concrete.

Start mowing. Always mow in straight lines, alternating directions and changing the pattern every week, if possible. For the best-quality cut, make sure your blades are sharp and mow with the engine running at maximum speed. If you are mowing long grass, use the highest cut setting for the first pass, and then make a second pass to cut the grass at a lower setting. Discharge clippings toward previously cut lawn areas. Never position the side-discharge chute toward people or property.

Know your surroundings. To avoid injury to yourself or others, pay attention to people around you. If a person or animal approaches you while working, stop your mower and turn off the engine. You may resume mowing once the work area is clear of all people and animals.

Avoid rubbing objects. When mowing, keep a safe distance from trees and other landscape features. Avoid hitting or rubbing the mower or its tires on any buildings, cars, signs, trees and other property features. Serious landscaping and property damage can occur, not to mention unnecessary wear to your equipment.

Pick up any missed debris. If you see any debris that you missed in your initial inspection, stop the machine, turn off the engine and pick up the debris. Do not attempt to clear debris while the machine's engine is still running.

Unclog the deflection chute. Sometimes while mowing the deflection chute can become clogged with grass clippings. To unclog it, turn off the engine and make sure the blades are stopped. To ensure safety, disconnect the spark plug wire and use a tool or stick to clear grass clippings. Never clear the deck or chute with your hands, and never place your hands or feet near the cutting blades.

Be extra careful on slopes. Always mow up and down slopes — never mow across slopes. Decrease your speed when mowing down slopes or around sharp corners to help prevent tipping. Maintain minimal ground speed and make wide, gradual turns; avoid sudden starts, stops and turns. Remember: If it looks dangerous, it almost certainly is dangerous, so use caution accordingly.

After mowing:

Shut down before performing maintenance. Refer to your operator's manual for proper shutdown procedures. Always shut down your machine from the operator's seat — never dismount from a running mower. Make sure that the mower is completely stopped and the engine is off before you begin your clean-up and maintenance procedures. Your operator's manual will detail specific daily clean-up and maintenance tasks.

Clean your mower. Your mower should be cleaned after each job by removing clippings and other landscaping debris from the mower, mower deck and deflection chute. Lingering debris can cause unwanted buildup and potential malfunctions or breakdowns of parts. Also, accumulation of grass, leaves or excessive grease can be a fire hazard.

Perform routine maintenance. Preventive maintenance is key to your machine's longevity. Although your operator's manual will provide specific routine maintenance procedures, certain common maintenance procedures apply to all commercial mowers. After each mowing job, you should check your mower's tire pressure and adjust if necessary. Check all fluid levels, belts, guards and blades. From your inspections, prepare a list of potential maintenance problems for your supervisor or mechanic.

Tend to repairs immediately. If your machine requires any repairs, tend to them immediately. Delaying machine and parts repairs will delay productivity. If repairs are overlooked and the mower is reused, damage to additional mower parts or operator injury may result.

Maintain a recommended maintenance schedule. Refer to your operator's manual for routine daily, monthly, quarterly and yearly maintenance procedures. Keeping your machine in top condition can help you increase your productivity and decrease any risk of injuries.

Be certain you've taken all the necessary precautions. By following these guidelines, you can ensure a safe mowing season, not only for yourself, but for those around you.

July 2020 Risk and Safety Newsletter

May 2020 Risk and Safety Newsletter