What is the primary purpose of lockout/tagout procedures?

The primary purpose of lockout/tagout procedures is to prevent accidental machine operation during maintenance. This procedure involves isolating energy sources and securing them to prevent machinery from being accidentally energized while maintenance or repair work is being performed. By implementing lockout/tagout, workers can ensure their safety, as unexpected activation of machinery can lead to serious injuries or fatalities.

While enhancing machine performance, preventing unauthorized access, and improving efficiency are important aspects of workplace safety and operations, they do not specifically address the critical need for worker safety during maintenance activities. Lockout/tagout is specifically designed to create a safe environment by ensuring that machines are completely powered down and cannot be inadvertently started while someone is working on them.