The lockout program: Your tool to comply with legislation and protect your employees

The lockout program: Your tool to comply with legislation and protect your employees

Occupational health and safety laws all have a common objective: protecting the worker. A lockout program helps achieve this objective by clearly stating the steps to follow. Here’s how.   


Workers’ responsibility                          
In Quebec, workers and employers share the responsibility for health and safety. 

The namely requires that workers be aware of the company’s prevention program and take the necessary measures to ensure their health, safety or physical or mental well-being.  

They must also see that they do not endanger the health, safety or physical or mental well-being of other persons at or near their workplace 

The employer’s responsibility            
As far as employers are concerned, they must take the necessary measures to protect the health and ensure the safety and mental well-being of their workers. 

The list of their obligations is rather long. They must namely:
-make sure their establishments are so equipped and laid out as to ensure the protection of their workers;
- ensure that "the organization of the work and the worker procedures and techniques do not affect the safety or health of the worker"; 
- "supply safety equipment and see that it is kept in good condition"; 
-etc.


The employer’s obligations cover every measure that must be taken to ensure the protection of workers. This is also a central objective of a lockout program. 

A tool to comply with the law
The implementation of a lockout program is particularly advisable to meet 2 requirements imposed by law upon the employer:
1- The employer must "use methods and techniques intended for the identification, control and elimination of risks to the safety or health of the worker". 
2- He must also "give the worker adequate information as to the risks connected with his work and provide him with the appropriate training, assistance or supervision to ensure that he possesses the skill and knowledge required to safely perform the work assigned to him". 
 

By providing specific procedures when it comes to shutting down – and locking out – the equipment, the lockout program helps determine what is to appear on the lockout sheets.


The implementation of a lockout program like those created by Fabtech ID for their clients, involves a training component. Thus, the worker has the skill and knowledge required to safely perform the work assigned to him.

This being said, the usefulness of the lockout program goes beyond the law compliance aspect.


A commitment to safety          
The creation of a lockout program is a true commitment to safety on the employer’s behalf.                    

By implementing a lockout program, employers commit to prioritizing their workers’ safety by means of good work methods – sound practices. 

A lockout program contributes to the smooth operation of production. It also allows for continuous improvement when it also commits to periodic audits and regular refresher training for employees.  

For more than 35 years, Fabtech ID has developed its expertise in controlling hazardous energies. Our experts are available to help you in your LOTO activities!
 Ask us for advice now. 


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