Life Safety & Security January 2021

Lockout
tagout
needs
Quite a few factors should be looked at, including your lockout
program size and complexity, organizational needs, and specific
application needs – such as electrical or nonelectrical.
Large facilities with complex lockout/tagout programs
Managing a lockout/tagout program for multiple departments or
facilities creates additional complexities to consider when
selecting safety padlocks.
Finding a lock with a secure keyway (where the key can’t be
duplicated at a hardware store) and enough unique key codes to
ensure there’s no key duplication is a big challenge made even
greater by key systems that can limit the number of available key
codes. Look for a padlock with the highest number of unique key
codes, even with these different keying options:
Keyed-different padlocks: With each padlock having its own
unique key, this option often provides the most unique key code
variety. When it’s mission critical to ensure every lock in the
facility is unique, request keyed-different padlocks with key
charting or key recording. This is ideal for avoiding key
duplication when multiple maintenance personnel need to lock
out equipment.
Keyed-alike padlocks: Also providing the most unique key code
variety, this option uses the same key to open each padlock.
Keyed-alike padlocks are beneficial when multiple locks are
assigned to a single employee, as long as you remember that
OSHA requires that no employee should be able to open a lock
applied by someone else.
Master-keyed padlocks: The master key can open all locks,
including keyed-alike and keyed-different locks, but delivers
fewer unique key codes. This option makes it easier for a
supervisor to remove a lock in an emergency.
Grand master-keyed padlocks: The grand master key can open
all locks grouped into two or more master-keyed systems, but
28
January - 2021