Electrical (C-10) · Lesson 1 of 6

Lockout/Tagout and Working on Energized Equipment

"Lockout/Tagout and Working on Energized Equipment" is lesson 1 of 6 in the Electrical (C-10) Learning Hub. It opens with "Qualified persons only, and assume it is live" and works through 5 short steps, then a worked example you can check yourself against.

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Steps in this lesson

  1. Qualified persons only, and assume it is live
  2. De-energize with a lock and a tag
  3. Test, work, then re-energize in order
  4. If live work is truly unavoidable
  5. Habits that the Safety Orders write down

The worked example in the course applies this lesson to a realistic job in 7 steps, from "Find the voltage to ground" through "If the owner refuses an outage".

What you'll be able to do

  • Explain the main idea of "Lockout/Tagout and Working on Energized Equipment" in plain language you can use on the exam.
  • Apply this step with confidence: "Test, work, then re-energize in order".
  • Apply this step with confidence: "If live work is truly unavoidable".
  • Apply this step with confidence: "Habits that the Safety Orders write down".
  • Test yourself on the worked example and the quick-check quiz inside the classroom.
Lockout/Tagout Before You Touch It1Notify all involved personnel2Lock the disconnect OPEN and tag it3Block or release stored energy4TEST: treat as live until proven dead5Do the work6Clear people, then remove YOUR lockVOLTAGE TO GROUND GATEUNDER 50 VPPE waived only after a qualified personconclusively finds no shock/arc hazard50 V TO 250 V TO GROUNDSupervisor approval, instruction, PPE,barriers, eye protection, signsOVER 250 V TO GROUNDApproved insulated gloves required(277 V lighting on a 480Y/277 V system)TAG MUST SHOW1. Reason the tag was placed2. Name and how to contact that person3. Date the tag was placed480Y/277 V panel: lock, tag, then TEST. Live work would need gloves.Source: 8 CCR §2320.2, §2320.3, §2320.4, §2320.5, §2320.6 (Electrical Safety Orders)CC
The diagram for this lesson, exactly as it appears in the Learning Hub.

The first steps of this lesson

Step 1: Qualified persons only, and assume it is live

8 CCR §2320.1(a) says only qualified persons shall work on electrical equipment or systems. §2320.3 then sets the starting assumption: all electrical equipment and systems are treated as energized, with the §2320.2 precautions, until they are tested or otherwise proven de-energized. A switch that is "off" is not proof; your test is.

Step 2: De-energize with a lock and a tag

Before working dead, the authorized person (8 CCR §2320.4(a)) notifies all involved personnel, locks the disconnecting means in the open position with a lockable device (or disconnects the conductors or uses another positive method), tags it, and blocks or dissipates stored energy such as capacitors and pneumatic or spring-loaded mechanisms. The only exception: locking is not required if tagging procedures are used and the disconnect is accessible only to personnel instructed in those tagging procedures. Under §2320.6 every tag must show the reason it was placed, the name of the person who placed it and how to contact them, and the date.

The remaining 3 steps, the worked example and the quiz are in the course. This is a preview. The full lesson, with the step-by-step explanations, a worked example and a quick-check quiz, is inside the classroom.

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