What is the role of Lockout/Tagout in electrical safety?

• A. To label safety helmets.
• B. To connect temporary power lines.
• C. To authorize new equipment purchases.
• D. To isolate energy sources and affix tags to prevent energisation during maintenance or repair.

Answer: (D)

Lockout/Tagout is about ensuring equipment cannot power up while someone is working on it. It does this by fully isolating energy sources and applying a lock to the energy‑disabling device, along with a tag that communicates that maintenance is in progress and should not be energised. The lock provides a physical barrier to re-energisation, while the tag informs others of the ongoing work and the need to avoid operating the equipment. This combination significantly reduces the risk of sudden startup or release of stored energy during maintenance.

For example, when servicing a machine, you would shut it down, isolate the energy source, apply the lock, and attach a tag describing who is working and why. The other options don’t address controlling energy to prevent energisation during maintenance. Labeling safety helmets relates to personal protective equipment, connecting temporary power lines could energise the equipment, and authorising new equipment purchases is a procurement task.