Hazardous energy control describes the use of procedures, techniques, designs and methods to protect workers from injury due to the inadvertent release of energy. Lockout is one way in which hazardous energy control can be achieved. Workers must be protected through achieving a zero energy state whenever machinery or equipment is serviced or maintained. This is most often accomplished through lockout procedures. It is important that the OHS professional understands the limits of their own knowledge, and recognizes when it is necessary to bring in additional expertise.

In order to act as an effective resource in their workplace, the OHS professional should be familiar with:

– Legislation, regulations, guidelines, and standards that pertain to lockout and de-energization
– How zero energy states are achieved