What Is Hazardous Energy? Identifying Energy Sources and How To Control Them

Hazardous energy refers to any form of energy that can be released unexpectedly and result in harm to those nearby. The accidental or uncontrolled release of hazardous energy can lead to sudden and severe accidents resulting in serious injuries or even fatalities. This emphasizes the need for a robust hazardous energy control program that will minimize the potential and exposure to such risks. This article explores the different types of hazardous energy, their likely sources, and causes, as well as the proper control measures against them.

What is Hazardous Energy?

Hazardous energy is a term used to describe any source of energy that can be potentially dangerous to people if not properly controlled. This energy can exist in various forms, each capable of causing harm or damage when unexpectedly released or not properly isolated during maintenance and operational processes. It is often stored energy ready to be released or is actively being transferred from one component to another. The inherent danger lies in the unexpected release of this energy, which can occur due to system failure, improper handling, or accidental activation of energy sources.

Types of Hazardous Energy

There are several types of hazardous energy found in different industrial settings. These come in varying forms with different implications. Here is a closer look at the common types of hazardous energy.

Electrical Energy

Electrical energy is one of the most common and potentially dangerous forms of hazardous energy. It refers to the power generated by the flow of electric charge, commonly found in all industrial, commercial, and residential settings. Examples include power lines, capacitors, and internal wiring in machinery. Uncontrolled release, such as during an equipment failure or improper handling, can lead to electric shocks, burns, and even fatal electrocution.

Mechanical Energy

Mechanical energy is energy in mechanical systems, typically seen in the moving parts of machinery. This can include kinetic energy from motion or potential energy stored in devices under compression or tension. Common examples are rotating flywheels, gears, and elevated masses. If these systems fail or are mishandled, they can cause injuries from cuts, crushes, or projectiles.

Pneumatic Energy

Pneumatic energy is stored in compressed air or gas and is widely used in industries for powering tools and machinery. Examples include air brakes, pneumatic actuators, and air compressors. The sudden release of compressed air can lead to explosive force sufficient to cause serious mechanical injuries or hearing damage due to noise.

Hydraulic Energy

Hydraulic energy is energy stored in pressurized fluids, typically used to move heavy loads with precision. Examples are found in hydraulic lifts, presses, or jacks. A breach in hydraulic systems can cause high-pressure oil or fluid jets, which can result in penetrating injuries or severe burns.

Gravitational Energy

Gravitational energy is the potential energy held by an object in position relative to a lower height. It is commonly encountered with elevated loads or suspended items. Examples include stored materials on shelves and cranes lifting objects. Accidents occur primarily through falls or collapses, leading to crush injuries or other impact-related harm.

Thermal Energy

Thermal energy or heat energy is present in many industrial processes involving high temperatures. This includes boilers, steam lines, and furnaces. Thermal energy can cause burns and scalding, and the unexpected release can lead to fires or explosions.

Chemical Energy

Chemical energy is stored in the bonds of chemical compounds and can be released through chemical reactions. This type of energy is a common hazard in industries dealing with combustibles, reactives, or explosives. Examples include batteries, fuel tanks, and chemical processing plants. Improper handling can lead to fires, explosions, or toxic exposures.

Radiation Energy

Radiation energy is emitted from electromagnetic waves and is a concern in industries using radioactive materials or devices emitting UV, X-rays, or gamma rays. Common sources include medical imaging equipment and industrial radiography. Exposure to radiation can result in acute radiation sickness, burns, and long-term health effects like cancer.

Dangers of Hazardous Energy

Hazardous energy in the workplace presents a range of serious risks to worker safety as well as operational integrity. Below are some of the primary dangers associated with hazardous energy:

• Severe Physical Injuries: Injuries can range from electrocution, burns (from thermal or chemical energy), to trauma (from mechanical or gravitational energy), such as burns from steam leaks or crushing injuries from a mechanical press.
• Equipment and Property Damage: Improper management of hazardous energy can cause significant damage to machinery and property, such as machinery operating uncontrollably due to a sudden release of hydraulic energy, leading to equipment destruction.
• Fires and Explosions: Hazardous energy, particularly chemical and electrical, can trigger fires or explosions if unexpectedly released, threatening human life, causing property damage, and potentially harming the environment.
• Long-term Health Effects: Exposure to radiation and certain chemicals, even at low levels, can result in long-term health issues like cancer, organ damage, or other debilitating diseases.
• Psychological Impact: Incidents can lead to significant psychological effects on workers, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression, affecting their job performance and willingness to return to work.
• Operational Disruption: Hazardous energy-related incidents can disrupt operations, leading to downtime, loss of production, and financial losses, negatively impacting company reputation and worker morale.

OSHA Control of Hazardous Energy Standards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established specific standards for controlling hazardous energy, often referred to as the Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) standards (29 CFR 1910.147). These standards provide the guidelines necessary to disable machinery or equipment, thereby preventing the release of hazardous energy while employees perform maintenance and servicing activities.

The key components of this standard include:

• Energy Control Procedures: Employers must develop, document, and utilize hazardous energy control procedures for affixing appropriate lockout devices or tagout devices to energy isolating devices, and to otherwise disable machines or equipment to prevent unexpected energization, start-up or release of stored energy.
• Employee Training: This involves instructing workers on the specific procedures and restrictions related to energy control measures specific to their job assignments.
• Inspection: OSHA requires that periodic inspections of the energy control procedures be conducted at least annually to ensure that the procedures and the requirements of the standard are being followed.
• Energy Isolation: Clear identification and proper isolation of all relevant energy sources for machines or equipment involved in maintenance or servicing are crucial.
• Lockout/Tagout Devices: These devices must be durable, standardized, and substantial enough to prevent removal without excessive force or unusual techniques. Tagout devices must clearly indicate the identity of the employee applying the device.

Developing a Hazardous Energy Control Program

A well-defined Hazardous Energy Control Program consists of several components critical to its efficiency and effectiveness. The program should be able to cover every aspect of energy safety control protocol, from the identification of potential sources of hazardous energy to the definition of stakeholder responsibilities and the documentation of control measure procedures.

Hazardous Energy Control Policy

The Hazardous Energy Control Policy serves as the framework within which all procedures and actions related to the control of hazardous energy are developed and executed. This policy is crucial not only for compliance with regulations but also for fostering a safety culture within the organization.

This should clearly articulate the main goal of the policy, which is to prevent accidents and injuries associated with the release of hazardous energy, including the protection of employees, contractors, and anyone else who might be exposed to hazardous energy during operational or maintenance activities. It also defines which parts of the organization and types of equipment are covered by the policy. This ensures that all relevant areas are included, from heavy machinery to electrical installations.

The document also details the responsibilities of everyone from top management to new employees to ensure accountability. Furthermore, the policy specifies who has the authority to implement lockout/tagout procedures and under what circumstances by identifying qualified personnel and outlining the training and certification required to carry out these tasks.

A comprehensive hazardous energy control policy also includes the step-by-step procedures needed for energy isolation by shutting down, blocking, or securing machines or equipment. It is a living document that must be regularly reviewed and updated in response to new safety information, changes in equipment or processes, and after an incident or near miss.

To establish an effective hazardous energy control program, the policy also outlines the training requirements and establishes formal communication channels for information dissemination on proper control of hazardous energy procedures. It also covers legal compliance requirements and enforces mechanisms to ensure the implementation of the set safety measures.

Lastly, the hazardous energy control policy reiterates the importance of regular performance evaluation through audits, incident reviews, and feedback sessions to gauge the success of the program. This is also a crucial element for continuous improvement of the safety measures and protocols.

Control of Hazardous Energy: Roles and Responsibilities

A key element of an effective Hazardous Energy Control Program involves the clear definition of the roles and responsibilities of parties involved in the protocol, particularly the employer, supervisors, and workers.

Employer Responsibilities:

• Program Development and Maintenance: Employers are primarily responsible for the initiation and ongoing refinement of the Hazardous Energy Control Program. This includes ensuring the program meets all legal requirements and adapting the program as new machinery or processes are introduced.
• Resource Allocation: Allocating adequate resources, including time, budget, and equipment, to support effective energy control practices is essential. Employers must also monitor that all necessary lockout/tagout devices are available and in good condition.
• Training and Communication: Employers must organize comprehensive training sessions for all new hires and conduct regular refresher courses for all employees to ensure everyone is up to date with the latest safety procedures. They should also establish a communication protocol for disseminating information related to hazardous energy control.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

• Implementation and Enforcement: Supervisors play a key role in the day-to-day implementation of the energy control program. They must check that all employees are following the prescribed safety procedures and that lockout/tagout devices are used properly and stored securely.
• Monitoring and Feedback: Supervisors are responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of the program and gathering feedback from the workforce on potential improvements. Regular safety audits and inspections should be conducted to identify and rectify any procedural gaps.
• Incident Management: In the event of a safety incident, supervisors must manage the situation promptly and effectively, including conducting incident investigations and reporting to higher management.

Worker Responsibilities:

• Compliance with Safety Procedures: Workers must adhere strictly to all safety procedures related to hazardous energy control. This includes proper use of lockout/tagout devices and following step-by-step shutdown and reactivation procedures.
• Active Participation: Workers should actively participate in training and safety meetings, bringing up any concerns or suggestions for improvement they might have regarding the energy control procedures.
• Reporting Irregularities: It is crucial for workers to report any observed non-compliance or issues with equipment to their supervisors immediately. This proactive approach is key to preventing accidents and enhancing overall workplace safety.

Hazard Identification, Assessment, and Control

The process of hazard identification, assessment, and control is fundamental to the management of hazardous energy in the workplace. It involves a systematic approach to identifying all sources of hazardous energy, assessing the risks associated with these sources, and implementing appropriate controls to mitigate these risks.

Hazard identification primarily involves conducting a comprehensive review of all equipment, machinery, and processes within the organization and understanding how equipment operates, the types of energy involved, and any potential sources of hazardous energy. For a more complete picture, this process also includes a review of previous incidents, near-misses, and maintenance records, as well as the accumulation of valuable insights from employees.

Risk Assessment is designed to evaluate potential risks associated with the potential release of stored energy. This should consider the magnitude of the energy, the likelihood of an uncontrolled release, and the potential consequences of such a release. Aside from that, this step also assesses vulnerabilities in the existing safety system and prioritizes risks based on their potential impact and probability of occurrence.

Control implementation focuses on developing measures to minimize or eliminate potential risks and exposure effectively. It utilizes a combination of engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to enhance and ensure safety of workers against the sudden release of hazardous energy.

Lockout Tagout and Control of Hazardous Energy

The Lockout Tagout (LOTO) procedure is a critical safety protocol aimed at preventing the accidental release of hazardous energy while equipment is being serviced or maintained. Effective LOTO procedures control hazardous energy and protect employees by ensuring that machines are properly shut down and cannot be restarted until the completion of maintenance or repair work.

Lockout Tagout follows a general 8-step LOTO procedure designed to effectively and efficiently address and prevent the release of stored hazardous energy:

1. Preparation: Establishing the need for maintenance/service, identifying all potential energy sources associated with the machine, and notifying all personnel about the upcoming lockout procedure.
2. Shut Down: Follow the set energy control procedure to shut down the machine or equipment. This often involves turning off power at control panels and may include additional steps specific to the equipment type.
3. Isolation: Physically isolate the equipment from its energy sources. This might involve turning off power at a breaker, closing valves, or disconnecting mechanical linkages.
4. Lockout/Tagout: Apply lockout devices to energy-isolating fixtures like switches, valves, or breakers. Attach tagout devices with necessary information such as the reason for lockout, date of application, and the name of the authorized person who applied it.
5. Stored Energy Check: Involved identifying and mitigating all forms of residual or stored energy and ensuring that these are either safety discharged or restrained before servicing.
6. Verification: Verify that the equipment is properly isolated and de-energized by attempting to start it up (following a procedure that ensures no hazard is posed), checking for stored energies, and using testing equipment to ensure all applicable hazardous energy sources are disconnected.
7. Inspection: Ensure that the work has been completed, that all tools and parts have been removed, and that the equipment can safely be returned to service.
8. Re-Energization: LOTO devices should only be removed by the authorized individual who applied them or under their direct supervision. Carefully follow procedures to restore energy to the equipment, ensuring that no one is at risk during this process.

Lockout Tagout Devices

Choosing the right tools for lockout/tagout is crucial for ensuring that machines are securely isolated from their power sources during maintenance or repair. The choice for energy isolating device should be made considering these key criteria:

• Durability: Devices must withstand the industrial environment where they are used. This includes resistance to corrosion, temperature extremes, and potentially abrasive or contaminating conditions.
• Standardization: To avoid confusion and ensure ease of use, devices should be standardized across the facility. This means using locks and tags that are uniform in color, shape, and size.
• Identifiability: Each lockout device should be clearly labeled with durable, non-fading tags that identify the user and provide space for additional necessary information such as the date of application and the purpose of lockout.
• Tamper-proof: Devices must be designed such that they cannot be removed without considerable effort or special tools, ensuring that only authorized personnel can remove them.
• Adaptability: Devices should be versatile enough to fit a variety of machinery and equipment, accommodating different sizes and types of energy isolation points.

Commonly used lockout tagout devices include:

• Lockout Tagout Padlocks: These are specialized padlocks designed specifically for LOTO purposes. Unlike standard padlocks, LOTO padlocks are uniquely keyed to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the keys.
• LOTO Tags: These are durable, weather-resistant tags used to provide essential information about the lockout situation. These tags are typically made from materials that resist tears, water, and extreme temperatures.
• Electrical Lockout Devices: These devices are designed to physically prevent the manipulation of electrical controls like circuit breakers, push buttons, and switches.
• LOTO Kits: LOTO kits are comprehensive sets that include a variety of lockout devices and accessories, all contained in a portable case or bag. These kits are tailored to meet the needs of specific jobs or areas within a facility.
• Valve Lockouts: Valve lockouts are devices designed to cover the handles of valves, preventing them from being turned.
• LOTO Stations: LOTO stations are centralized locations where LOTO devices and information are stored. These stations are strategically placed around the workplace to ensure easy access to lockout devices.

Hazardous Energy Control Documentation

The last key component of an effective Hazardous Energy Control Program revolves around the extensive documentation of safety measures and procedures. This is critical to ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, facilitating training, and enhancing safety through transparency and accountability.

Energy Control Procedures
Each set of procedures should be tailored to specific types of equipment and operations. This includes step-by-step shutdown and restart procedures, identifying the appropriate lockout/tagout devices, and specifying the exact isolation points for each energy source. Ensure these documents are easily accessible to all relevant personnel.

Training Records
Employee training is an essential element of any safety program. To gain a better understanding of the impact of such training, record not only the dates and participants of training sessions but also the curriculum covered, the duration of the training, and the methods used. If applicable, include information on certifications earned by employees after completing the training, along with expiration dates of these certifications to track when refresher training is needed.

Inspection Reports
Document how frequently each piece of equipment is inspected and who is responsible for these inspections. Furthermore, use detailed checklists during inspections to standardize the process and ensure thoroughness. Checklists should cover all aspects of the equipment and its energy control procedures.

Incident Reports
Encourage and train employees to report incidents and near-misses immediately. Quick documentation ensures that details are accurate and that the response can be initiated promptly. Each report should include a thorough analysis to determine the root cause of the incident to aid in developing effective preventive and corrective actions.

Audit Records
Audits should result in detailed findings that are formally recorded. This includes any non-compliances, suggestions for improvement, and commendations for areas well managed. Document whether audits are conducted by internal staff or external experts. Each type offers different benefits and insights.

FAQs

When are workers likely to be exposed to hazardous energy?

Workers are most likely to be exposed to hazardous energy during maintenance, repair, or cleaning operations, especially when safety protocols like Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) are not properly implemented. These exposures can occur in any setting where machinery, electrical installations, or heavy equipment are used, and the energy has not been adequately isolated or controlled.

What is a hazardous energy control program osha?

A hazardous energy control program, as defined by OSHA, involves procedures to prevent the release of hazardous energies—electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other forms—during service or maintenance activities. Central to OSHA's guidelines is the Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) standard (29 CFR 1910.147), which requires employers to implement energy control programs, including energy isolation and lockout/tagout procedures, to protect workers.

Which industry has its own standards for the control of hazardous energy?

The construction industry has its own specific standards for the control of hazardous energy, distinct from general industry standards. OSHA provides separate guidelines and regulations for construction due to the unique nature of construction sites and the types of hazards present, which often differ significantly from manufacturing or industrial settings.

What type of energy is the most hazardous?

Electrical energy is often considered the most hazardous form of energy due to its ubiquitous presence, potential for immediate severe injury or death, and the complexity of systems that can make isolation more challenging. Electrical shocks, arc flashes, and electrocution are common risks associated with electrical energy.

Who is at greatest risk from the release of hazardous energy?

Maintenance and repair personnel are at the greatest risk from the release of hazardous energy because they often work directly with machines and equipment that must be de-energized. Without proper lockout/tagout procedures, these workers are exposed to high risks of injuries from unexpected energization, start-up of machinery, or release of stored energy.