What are lockout tag out padlocks like?

Posted by missaifahmed on November 12th, 2022

Padlocks are an essential intermediate element for blocking the energy sources of a machine or equipment, within the lockout and tag out protocols for occupational safety in the industry. Why do we say that they are the intermediate element? Because they are placed in the middle of the sequence that begins with the placement of the main blocking device -adapted to the energy source to be blocked- and the label that tells us which people are authorized to carry out repair or maintenance tasks on the machine or team locked.

By their very nature, locking devices -whether for valves, electrical equipment, pneumatic or gas elements, etc.- do not close by themselves, but rather require one or more padlocks to lock them. In this post we will examine the types of padlocks that exist and what they are used for.

Compliant products

In a previous post on this blog dedicated to the rules for blocking and labeling, we explained that the products had to comply with the following three premises:

• Be clearly identifiable. This requirement is met with the use of bright colors that make these devices visible from a distance, as a safety measure in the environment where the inspection and maintenance of the machinery is carried out.
• Be used only for the control of energy sources. If we talk about padlocks, they do not need to have high security systems. It is enough that they fulfill their function of closing the main blocking devices during the aforementioned revision and maintenance work. In other words, they are not designed to protect machines or equipment from theft.
• Be durable, resistant and easily installable. In this case, we are talking about resistance to ultraviolet rays, chemical elements, high temperatures, electrical conduction, etc. generated by the equipment and machines to be blocked.

The importance of shackle materials in padlocks

The body of all padlocks suitable for blocking and labeling is very similar, which is related to the third premise that we saw in the previous section. Thus, padlocks have a plastic cover in ABS resin that makes them resistant to UV radiation, environments with highly flammable substances, etc. What will differentiate your use are the materials of your bow. If we look at the existing padlocks on the market, the main materials of their shackles are:

• Chromed steel. It is used in machinery or equipment where there is no risk of electrical contact.
• Stainless steel. In addition to allowing the use of the padlock for machine maintenance where a dielectric model is not required, it gives the padlock extra resistance in industrial environments with high levels of humidity and salinity. They are also suitable for outdoor use.
• Plastic. It is used to avoid possible electrical contact that the worker could suffer during maintenance and repair tasks.

Normal, long, extra-long bow...

Another aspect to consider when we talk about types of padlocks is the length of their shackle. This variable determines that there are padlocks with a normal shackle, a long shackle, an extra-long shackle and even a shackle with a flexible cable. Where does this need come from? Fundamentally, the existing space in the area where we must work, that is, maneuverability. If there is a very narrow hole to make the padlock close the main locking device, we will find padlocks with long or extra-long shackles very useful, since they will allow us to close more comfortably.