Educational guides on how workplace documents fit together — which document is typically completed before another, what is used alongside it and what follows. Connected to workplace forms, checklists and registers. Informational only — not legal advice; employers remain responsible for required documents and compliance.
What a lockout/tagout workflow is
Lockout/tagout is the practice of isolating and securing energy sources so equipment cannot be started while someone works on it. The workflow is the chain of documents around that isolation — the assessment of the energy sources, the step-by-step isolation procedure, the lock and tag application, and the verification that confirms zero energy before work begins.
This page is an educational overview of how those documents connect. It is not an official procedure, is not jurisdiction-specific, and using it does not isolate any equipment or guarantee compliance — the employer decides what their isolation system must contain.
Why these documents connect
- The risk assessment identifies all the energy sources that must be isolated.
- The isolation procedure sets out the correct order to make equipment safe.
- Locks and tags secure each isolation point and identify who applied them.
- Verification confirms zero energy by trying to start and testing before work.
- A permit may reference the isolation so work is only authorised once it is proven.
The typical sequence
In a typical example, a risk assessment identifies the energy sources and the isolation procedure is prepared; these are normally required before work begins. Equipment is shut down, each source is isolated, locks and tags are applied, and stored energy is released. The isolation is then verified by attempting a start and testing for dead.
Work proceeds only once verification confirms a safe state, and any permit referencing the isolation is issued and used with the isolation record. On completion, the area is cleared, locks and tags are removed in order by the people who applied them, and a record is completed afterwards.
Who owns each step
- The employer owns the isolation system and decides who is authorised to isolate.
- A competent person applies and records the isolations, locks and tags.
- Each worker applies their own lock where group isolation requires it.
- A supervisor confirms verification before maintenance starts.
- The people who applied the locks remove them when the work is complete.
Common mistakes
- Isolating only the obvious source and missing stored or secondary energy.
- Relying on a tag alone where a lock is needed to secure the isolation.
- Not verifying zero energy by trying to start before work begins.
- One person removing another’s lock, defeating the protection.
- Restoring energy before everyone is clear and tools are removed.
Records and retention (high level)
Completed isolation records are generally kept with the risk assessment, the procedure and any permit that referenced them, so the isolation can be traced. How long they are retained depends on the employer, the work and the applicable rules.
This page does not state a required period — confirm retention with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Isolation procedures and records are commonly compiled, signed and stored as PDFs so the steps can be shared with the work party and kept as a record. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make any document official or guarantee compliance.
Employer notes
- Identify all energy sources, including stored and secondary energy.
- Provide locks, tags and a clear isolation procedure for each machine.
- Require verification of zero energy before any maintenance starts.
- Keep isolation records with the assessment and any related permit.
Worker notes
- Apply your own lock and tag and never remove someone else’s.
- Release stored energy and verify dead before you touch the equipment.
- Keep your lock on until your part of the work is finished.
- Confirm everyone is clear before energy is restored.
Country considerations
Rules for energy isolation and lockout/tagout vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee of validity.
Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for the isolation system, for ensuring all energy sources are controlled and verified, and for compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not isolate any equipment and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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