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Circuit Breaker Panel Lockout
Common Scenarios for Circuit
Breaker Panel Lockout
- Machinery and equipment are being isolated by turning a circuit breaker off, but the
circuit breaker is not being locked out. The Authorized Employee decides that lockout
is impossible, too time consuming, or too difficult and makes a decision to "take his
chances" and not lockout. This is the most common scenario and can lead to severe
safety consequences and inspection citations.
- Machinery and equipment are being isolated by turning a circuit breaker off, and the
circuit breaker is locked out with an easily defeated device. In some cases, the weight
of a lock is enough to pull the lockout device off the breaker handle. While better than
no lockout, this may provide Authorized Employees a false sense of security, exposing
them to potential safety consequences.
- Machinery and equipment are being isolated by turning a circuit breaker off, and the
circuit breaker is locked out with the best available breaker handle lockout device.
Effective breaker handle lockout devices are available for many circuit breaker panels.
In facilities with a substantial variety of panel brands and models, a commensurate
level of lockout device inventory and selection must be maintained.
- Machinery and equipment are being isolated by turning a circuit breaker off, and the
circuit breaker is locked out using Circuit-Safe. Without exception, circuit breakers are
securely locked out with a quick and simple procedure common to every panel in the
facility.
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