What does Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) aim to achieve in welding safety?

• A. To log training hours.
• B. To control hazardous energy during maintenance and repair, preventing startup or energy release.
• C. To document weld quality.
• D. To schedule breaks.

Answer: (B)

Lockout/Tagout focuses on controlling hazardous energy to prevent unexpected machine startup or the release of stored energy while work is being done. In a welding environment, equipment can have electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, gas, or stored mechanical energy that could energize or move suddenly if someone starts it or opens a line during maintenance. By isolating the energy sources and applying a lock, the machine cannot be turned on, and by tagging, others are warned not to remove the lock and energize the equipment until the task is finished. This protects workers from electric shocks, burns, sudden movement, or energy releases that could occur during servicing.

Logging training hours, documenting weld quality, or scheduling breaks don’t address this protection. They relate to different safety or operational aims, not to preventing hazardous energy from being released during maintenance.