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Energy control is the most sensitive aspect of the modern workplace due to its high importance and the potential risks that come with it. It also means that the workplace must be safe enough that when workers service such systems, they do not be in any form of accident/injury. Lock out tag (LOTO) processes have traditionally accommodated use of lock out tag, and these do have the ability to manage energy control while a machine is under maintenance; yet, they become somewhat challenging when the processes or operations are sited over large areas. And that's when Smart Lockout comes into play an innovative answer built with IoT technology to add a new dimension to. Let's find out what Smart Lockout does for industrial safety.
The Importance of Proper Lockout/Tagout Management
Lockout/Tagout Procedure The LOTO procedure is the best practice for working with hazardous operations related to energy sources. Physical keys and tags are used to deny access to energy sources in the traditional system, preventing machinery and equipment from being powered (turned on) while being maintained. However, conventional lockout systems commonly encounter multiple issues that may jeopardize their effectiveness:
Lock Management Issues: Lockouts are often cumbersome to operate, and may not be visually managed, rendering it impossible to tell visually which locks are in place or what points are secured.
Identifying Lock Points: Locking devices (locks) can be misplaced, and there is often no way to certify that all points have been rendered inoperable.
Challenge of Lock Status Confirmation: It is often difficult if not impossible to confirm whether a lock is in place and secure or not, resulting in potential security risks.
Work Order Management: In a conventional work order system, there is no visibility which makes tracking and managing maintenance difficult.
Qualification Verification: Without adequate means to confirm that maintenance personnel are properly qualified to perform lockout procedures, compliance can be doubtful.
Traceability Challenges: Traditionally work orders create an audit trail among the various work components but tracing the movement of work orders and verifying the execution of maintenance activities pose big challenges.
Smart Lockout addresses these challenges by utilizing IoT technology, creating a connected ecosystem for lockout management that ensures higher safety, efficiency, and traceability.
(TCMS), the revolutionary Smart Lockout solution utilizes IoT technology to eliminate these pain points and enhance the lockout process in industrial space. Overview of Smart Lockout features and functions:
Lockout of Real Time Visualization
Smart Lockout enables industrial operations to visualize the scene in real time. It offers a multi-level visualisation of physical processes and marks critical points like energy sources, isolators, and locks. The advantages include having all information visually represented within an interactive display that indicates which lockout point is currently active, confirming the de-energization of all energy sources. By visualizing the lockout process, it makes it easy to understand at a glance, prevents errors, and ultimately improves safety when there is a visual representation of all current lockouts.
Work Order Visualization
Within the Smart Lockout platform, work orders can be connected directly to isolation devices and energy sources. This link is essential in order to effectively manage work order inputs, while also ensuring that energy sources are de-energized prior to conducting any work. Maintenance teams can quickly see the status of work orders, track their progress and confirm all tasks are done in accordance with safety guidelines.
Enterprise LOTO Process Management
In fact, Smart Lockout supports the entire LOTO process, from the initial lockout to the end of maintenance work. So you have Traceability at each step in the lockout process. These details help to ensure that they are complying with all safety protocols, as well as serving as a record of lockout, for future reference. LOTO Safety: The eight steps required for successful lockout/tag out safety are also supported by the platform, helping workers isolate and lock out energy sources before performing work.
VISUALIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES
Smart Lockout allows energy sources, isolating devices, and lock boxes on site to be tagged, and managed. This system ensures that workers can quickly locate and identify the required devices for lockout purposes, thereby eliminating delays and enhancing overall operational efficiency.
Event Notification & Traceability
Smart Lockout: Alerting users instantly in case of any issue; enabling immediate response and resolution. It monitors all behaviors from unread notifications to event details and addresses security concerns as they arise. This allows workers to respond quickly to any unexpected issues, adding to the overall sustainability of the building.
Hardware and Lock Options
Smart Lockout offers a variety of IoT-enabled locks and devices designed to enhance security and streamline lockout procedures. These hardware options include:
Password Lock Series: These locks are secured with passwords, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access them.
Fingerprint Lock Series: For enhanced security, fingerprint recognition technology can be used to ensure that only qualified personnel can perform lockout procedures.
NFC Passive Lock Series: These locks use near-field communication (NFC) technology, providing a secure and efficient method of locking and unlocking energy sources.
Non-Power IoT Management Series Locks: These passive locks do not require a power source and can be easily integrated into the IoT management system.
Electronic Keys: Electronic keys are used for controlling access to locks, providing a digital means of securing energy sources.
Internet of Things Handheld Terminals: These devices allow users to interact with the Smart Lockout platform and manage lockout procedures from the field.
In conclusion, Smart Lockout is a game-changing solution that transforms traditional lockout procedures by integrating IoT technology. By offering real-time visualization, traceability, and efficient management of lockout processes, Smart Lockout enhances workplace safety, streamlines workflows, and ensures compliance with safety standards. Industries across various sectors can benefit from this advanced system, improving operational efficiency and minimizing risks to workers. With Smart Lockout, industrial organizations can confidently move towards a safer and more connected future.
