What would be a consequence of not following Lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures?

Not following Lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures significantly raises the risk of accidents or injuries in the workplace. LOTO procedures are essential safety protocols designed to protect workers from the unintended release of hazardous energy during maintenance or servicing of equipment. These procedures ensure that machines are properly shut off and not able to be started up again while maintenance work is being done.

When these procedures are ignored, there is a heightened chance that machinery or equipment could be inadvertently activated, leading to hazardous situations. Workers might find themselves in jeopardy of being struck by moving parts, exposed to release of stored energy, or electric shock, among other dangers. Therefore, the failure to adhere to LOTO procedures directly correlates with an increased likelihood of incidents, which can have severe consequences for both workers and the organization in terms of safety and liability.