Each year, OSHA releases its list of the most frequently cited standards, and consistently near the top are Machine guarding and Lock out/tag out (LOTO) violations. These citations are not minor paperwork errors. They are often tied to serious injuries, amputations, or fatalities resulting from uncontrolled hazardous energy or exposure to moving machine parts.

Understanding why these areas continue to generate citations is critical for employers seeking to reduce risk and maintain compliance. Continue reading “Why Machine Guarding and Lockout/Tagout Are the Most Cited OSHA Violations”

Many people in general industry are all too familiar with some of the vague or confusing requirements in OSHA’s lockout/tagout regulation 1910.147. In my years working with Conversion Technology, and visiting all sorts of different manufacturing sectors, there have been several mistakes and misconceptions regarding lockout/tagout that have popped up. Continue reading “8 Mistakes to Avoid to Ensure an Effective Lockout/Tagout Program”