Lockout Removal
Who is allowed to remove a personal lock in British Columbia?
The worker who installed it; if that is impossible, the supervisor or manager in charge may remove it after making every reasonable effort to contact the worker and confirming safe operation.
Is lockout removal the same as simply restarting equipment?
No. It is a formal controlled sequence that includes housekeeping, personnel clearance, notification, lock/tag removal, and safe re-energization verification.
What happens in group lockout?
Each worker must remove their own personal lock first; only after that may the final authorized workers remove the key-securing control device or sealing device, ending the lockout.
Lockout removal is the controlled process of removing lockout devices and restoring machinery to service only after the hazardous-energy control procedure is completed, the area is cleared, and it is confirmed safe to re-energize. Under WorkSafeBC, a personal lock must be removed by the worker who installed it unless impossible, then a supervisor may remove it after contacting the worker and verifying safe operation.
On a manufacturing or shop floor, lockout removal is the final step in the de-energization sequence. Tools and maintenance materials are removed, personnel are accounted for and clear of danger zones, affected workers are notified, locks and tags are removed in proper order, and the machine is re-energized only after verification checks are complete. For group lockout systems, WorkSafeBC requires all relevant workers to remove their own personal locks before the key-securing system is opened; once qualified workers remove the final control device, the system is no longer locked out.
Premature removal before verifying that tools are removed, workers are clear, and the machine is safe to start, which defeats the hazard-control purpose of lockout.
Unauthorized lock removal, such as one worker removing another worker’s personal lock without following the exception procedure and supervisory safeguards required by WorkSafeBC.
Incomplete group-lockout release, where not all personal locks are removed before the key box or sealing device is opened, or where the return-to-service sequence is not properly controlled.