Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

What type of control is represented by locking out a circuit before maintenance on electrically powered equipment?

1. Mechanical control

2. Administrative control

3. Personal protective control

4. Engineering control

The correct answer is: Administrative control

Locking out a circuit before maintenance on electrically powered equipment is an example of an administrative control. This type of control involves established procedures and policies designed to manage safety and health risks in the workplace. Lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures are critical components of safety management systems and are specifically designed to ensure that machinery is properly shut off and not able to be started up again before maintenance or servicing is completed. Implementing a lockout procedure requires that employees follow specific administrative guidelines that outline how to safely isolate energy sources, which helps prevent accidental machine startups that could cause injuries. This demonstrates the importance of administrative controls in maintaining a safe work environment. In contrast, mechanical controls involve physical devices or barriers that reduce exposure to hazards, such as machine guards, while personal protective controls refer to equipment worn by individuals to protect against hazards, like helmets or gloves. Engineering controls are modifications to equipment or work processes that reduce hazards, such as installing ventilation systems to remove airborne contaminants. Understanding the distinctions among these types of controls is essential for effective safety management.