Lockout/tagout (LOTO) is...

• A. A method to lock file systems for security.
• B. A procedure to safely de-energize/isolate equipment before maintenance.
• C. A way to tag employees for shift changes.
• D. A process to log maintenance hours.

Answer: (B)

Lockout/tagout is a safety procedure that prevents equipment from being energized or releasing stored energy while it’s being serviced. The aim is to safely shut down the equipment, isolate all energy sources (electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, thermal, etc.), and secure that state with locks and warning tags so that only authorized personnel can remove it. This protects workers from injuries that could occur from unexpected startup, energization, or energy release during maintenance, and it includes verifying zero energy before work begins and removing the locks only after the area is clear and maintenance is finished. The focus is clearly on controlling energy to keep people safe, which is why this option fits, whereas the other choices describe unrelated tasks like file security, shift tagging, or logging hours.