Valve Lockout Devices

Valve Lockout

TRADESAFE provides lockout tagout valve locks that are durable, reliable, and precision-engineered to meet OSHA standard 1919.147. These valve lockout devices are made of corrosion-resistant materials and are tamper-proof, so the valve does not open until it is safe to do so.

They are also designed to fit a variety of valves, including gate valves, ball valves, and butterfly valves, conveniently and securely. Plus, these valve lockouts can easily fit over valve handles with diameters that range from ¼” to 24”.

Controlling hazardous energy is a serious matter, but that doesn’t mean that safety measures should be complicated. These valve lockout devices are designed for simple installation while ensuring worker safety for as long as necessary.

FAQ

What is a gate valve lock?

A gate valve lock is a lockout tagout device used to prevent access to a valve. Once a valve is turned off, a properly installed valve lock can keep it turned off. A lock like this has to be made of a durable material that can withstand extreme temperatures, chemicals, and other things found in industrial workplaces. The lock will thus be difficult to destroy.

In terms of design, a gate valve lock is made to almost completely cover a valve. When the lock is installed, it is essentially impossible to access the gate valve handle. Thus, it will also not be possible to turn the valve back on while the lock is installed.

What is the purpose of a gate valve?

A gate valve is the point of access to a fluid flow. When open, the gate valve allows a full flow in a pipeline. When fully closed, the valve shuts the flow off.

Typically, gate valves are most effective in either a fully open or a fully closed position. They cannot regulate the flow or pressure of fluids, and they also cannot be kept partially open. Keeping a gate valve partially open can also cause damage to its parts.

To open or close the gate valve, one will have to turn the wheel handle many times. Thus, a gate valve lockout tagout lock has to fit over the handle to keep it from turning.

How does a gate valve work?

A gate valve has a mechanism that can both allow and block the flow of fluids. It comes with a “gate” that can be wedged into or lifted out of a pipe. When the gate is inserted into the pipe, it stops the flow of whatever fluid is in the pipe. When the gate is lifted, the fluid is free to flow through the pipe.

You can control the gate by taking hold of the handwheel. Using it will allow you to turn on or shut off the valve.

How do you lock a gate valve?

Turn the gate valve’s handwheel and put it in the off position. This lowers the gate into the fluid flow and effectively shuts it off. You can then install the gate valve lock over the handwheel.

The gate valve lock will not lock by itself. You will have to use a personal safety padlock to properly secure the gate valve lock. Gate valve locks come with at least one hole that can accommodate padlocks, making it easy to lock closed. However, while gate valve locks are easy to secure, they are not easy to break into.

How do you open or close a gate valve?

To open or close a gate valve, you only have to turn the handwheel. The handwheel engages the valve’s gate, which can either allow or block the flow of the fluid in the pipe.

Stopping the flow of fluid in certain pipes can be a part of a company’s lockout tagout program. In a program like this, employees will have to lock the gate valve while repair or maintenance procedures are underway. This keeps repair or maintenance personnel safe from accidental re-energization.

Once these procedures are done, employees will have to follow lockout tagout protocols when removing locks and tags. Unlocking a gate valve lock entails unlocking and removing the personal safety padlock securing it. The handwheel will then be accessible and the valve can be opened or closed.

What types of energy can lockout tagout procedures control?

Lockout tagout procedures can control a variety of types of energy, including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and heat. All these types of energy can potentially power machines. Thus, various lockout tagout procedures and devices are typically designed to be able to isolate these types of hazardous energy.

What is the difference between a regular valve lockout and an adjustable valve lockout?

By design, gate valve lockouts are composed of two parts used to enclose the gate valve handle. The parts of a regular gate valve lockout are often affixed together and are just opened when being used in lock out. On the other hand, the parts of an adjustable gate valve lockout are separate so it can easily adjust to the size of the valve handle to be locked out.

Is an adjustable gate valve lockout better compared to regular gate valve lockouts?

Not necessarily. Even though adjustable gate valve lockouts offer flexibility because of its design, it doesn’t mean that it can accommodate any types of gate valve handles. At most, TRADESAE adjustable gate valve lockout can only accommodate valve handles with a diameter of 6-½ inches. Any valve handle that’s bigger than this should use a gate valve lockout that can accommodate the handle’s size. Not using the appropriate lockout device may render the lockout ineffective.

What is a ball valve lockout?

Ball valves are large metal valves, usually with a lever handle. This type of valve is often found at the main water shutoff of residential and commercial places. Since ball valves use a wrench handle instead of a handle-wheel, it only needs a 90 degrees turn of the wrench to open or close it.

What are the different types of valves?

A valve is a device that opens, closes, or partially obstructs the passage of a fluid.

There are different types of valves used in various industries. They can either be classified according to their design or their function. Based on design, the most common valves include gate valves, ball valves, butterfly valves, plug valves, globe valves, check valves, and pressure relief valves. Valves are sometimes classified according to their function such as isolation valves, regulation valves, safety relief valves, non-return valves, and special purpose valves.

Choosing the right valve type and size is important to optimize costs and ensure safe, accurate and reliable operation.

What are the main functions of valves?

The most basic function of a valve is to regulate the flow of fluids such as water within the piping system. Each valve type has a its own defining work mechanism that sets it apart from other valves. Generally, the common functions among valves include:

Start or stop the flow based on the condition of the valve
Control the direction of flow within the pipes
Adjust the flow rate and pressure within piping system
Throttle flow rates within the pipes
Relieve pressure and vacuum within the piping system

What is a valve lockout?

Valves are an integral part of piping systems across several industries. Just like other machines and equipment, they also need to be maintained from time to time to avoid unexpected piping failures. During servicing and/or maintenance, valves need to be locked out and tagged out to prevent accidental opening. Valve lockouts ensure that all valve operating machines remain off during LOTO procedures, thereby preventing unexpected release of energy that may cause harm in the workplace.

How many turns of the handle does it take to open or close a ball valve?

What is pneumatic energy?

Pneumatic energy refers to power related to pressurized air, which could either be static or moving. Most industrial machines utilize pneumatic energy and have at least one pneumatic energy source. Oftentimes, industrial equipment converts this energy into other forms of energy such as potential and kinetic energy for it to be useful.

What are pneumatic lockout valves?

Pneumatic lockout valves control the compressed air required by production equipment.

Pneumatic energy, just like other energy sources, can be hazardous to workers. In fact, OSHA reports hundreds of injuries annually due to mishandling of this type of energy. As such, OSHA included the proper servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment that may release pneumatic energy in their 29 CFR 1910.147 standard. Combining these pneumatic lockout valves with a well-designed lockout tagout procedure can prevent OSHA from quoting the facility for improper hazardous energy management.

What is a butterfly valve?

Butterfly valve, named after its rotating disc that opens or closes the valve, is a quarter-turn rotary motion valve that is often used in large valve applications with tight spaces. While its most basic function is to start, stop, and regulate the flow of fluids just like other valves, a butterfly valve is often preferred over other valves because it opens and closes faster and requires less material and civil works. Furthermore, it is smaller and compact, making it versatile for use in piping systems.

Collection: Valve Lockout

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