All employees who perform maintenance and servicing of machinery and equipment need training in LOTO. The purpose of training is injury prevention through regulated safety standards and procedures. A good training program is up to date with OSHA standards. Programs should be specific to the equipment in the industry. Some programs include lockout and tagout devices along with CDs, videos and booklets detailing proper usage. Quizzes to test comprehension are a feature to look for in a good training program. Certificates of completion are a nice addendum to a training course.
The osha.gov website offers free LOTO training. The program includes three components. A tutorial explains LOTO in a question and answer format. The second component of the training covers five detailed abstracts with discussions on major LOTO issues. The last component is interactive case studies where the trainee is asked to make decisions based on the scenarios presented.
Training CDs and downloads are available from many different private companies. A quick search on the Internet for training programs reveals a multitude of options. Most the programs are in a familiar software format and offer certificates for employees. Computer based training is an affordable option. Look for a program that adheres to the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 requirement standard.
Some colleges and universities offer continuing education courses for working adults. A few may occasionally offer classes on electrical safety including LOTO. These courses may not be a good option if the industry uses specialized equipment.