An employee is injured while operating equipment that was not properly locked out. The equipment had multiple energy sources. What is the primary violation under OSHA standards?
Correct Answer
A) Failure to follow lockout/tagout procedures
OSHA's lockout/tagout standard (29 CFR 1926.417) requires all energy sources to be properly isolated and locked out before maintenance or service. This is a primary safety violation.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
OSHA's lockout/tagout (LOTO) standard 29 CFR 1926.417 specifically requires that all energy sources be properly isolated, locked out, and tagged out before any maintenance or service work begins. The scenario directly describes a failure to follow these mandatory procedures, as the equipment with multiple energy sources was not properly locked out before the employee operated it. This represents a primary and direct violation of the LOTO standard, which is designed to prevent exactly this type of injury from unexpected energization or startup of equipment.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: Inadequate employee training
Although inadequate training may have contributed to the incident, the primary violation is the failure to implement the required lockout/tagout procedures. Training is a component of LOTO compliance, but not the primary violation described.
Option C: Improper equipment maintenance
Equipment maintenance issues are not the primary concern here. The violation is procedural - failing to follow required safety protocols for energy isolation before work begins, regardless of the equipment's maintenance status.
Option D: Failure to provide adequate PPE
While PPE is important, the primary violation here is procedural - the equipment should never have been energized in the first place if proper lockout/tagout procedures were followed. PPE is a secondary protection measure.
Memory Technique
Remember 'LOTO before you GO-TO work' - Lockout/Tagout must happen before any work begins on equipment with energy sources.
Reference Hint
OSHA Construction Standards 29 CFR 1926.417 - Lockout and Tagging of Circuits. Also reference Florida Building Code Chapter 27 for electrical safety requirements.
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