Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

Which of the following hazards is most commonly addressed by lockout/tagout procedures?

1. Chemical spills

2. Electrical hazards

3. Mechanical energy hazards

4. Biological hazards

The correct answer is: Mechanical energy hazards

Lockout/tagout procedures are specifically designed to address mechanical energy hazards. These procedures are critical for ensuring the safety of workers who are servicing or maintaining equipment. When machinery is being worked on, it is essential to control hazardous energy sources to prevent accidental startup or release of stored energy, which can cause severe injuries. The practice involves placing locks or tags on the energy-isolating devices to clearly indicate that maintenance work is being performed and that the machinery should not be operated. This is crucial in environments where machinery can contain various forms of mechanical energy, such as kinetic or potential energy, which can pose significant risks if not properly managed. While other hazards like electrical, chemical, and biological hazards are indeed significant safety concerns, they are typically addressed using different safety procedures and practices. For example, electrical hazards may involve lockout/tagout but are often managed through specific electrical safety protocols. In contrast, lockout/tagout is fundamentally about controlling mechanical energy to protect workers during maintenance tasks, making it the most relevant choice in this context.