What does the term "lockout/tagout" mean?

The term "lockout/tagout" refers to a critical safety procedure used to ensure that equipment is completely shut off and cannot be restarted until maintenance or servicing is finished. This process involves using physical locks to secure energy-isolating devices and tags to communicate to employees that the equipment is being serviced and must not be operated. Implementing lockout/tagout practices prevents accidental energization and protects workers from electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and other hazardous energy sources while they perform their tasks.

The importance of this procedure lies in its ability to safeguard workers from potential injuries that can occur due to unexpected machinery startup or energy release during maintenance. Proper training in lockout/tagout procedures is essential for steamfitters, ensuring that they understand how to effectively control hazardous energy and the proper steps to take in different scenarios.

The other choices do not accurately capture the meaning of "lockout/tagout." For instance, tagging personal tools serves a different purpose regarding organization and accountability rather than safety during equipment servicing. Monitoring equipment temperatures does not relate to energy control but could be part of operational monitoring, and scheduling maintenance tasks focuses on planning rather than the safety aspect of locking out hazardous equipment during servicing.