Northern Lights M20CRW3, Operator'S Manual

OM844W3  11/13

8

General Policy

To avoid dangerous or hazardous situations, refrain from 

any of the following:

• Removing or bypassing a guard or other safety device

• Placing any part of your body in a position where you 

could be caught by moving machinery.

• Cleaning or oiling machinery when in operation.

• Adjusting circuits, chillers, pumps, air handlers, valves, 

circuit breakers or fans while in operation.

• Working on piping or high pressure systems.

Lock Out/Tag Out Instructions - 

Electrical Equipment

Be sure the equipment’s ON/OFF switch is in the OFF 

position and is unplugged from any electrical source before 

attempting to perform any type of work on the equipment.  

Obtain an electrical plug cap cover with a lockset.  Secure 

the plug terminal end using the electrical plug lockout cap.  

Lock the cap and retain the key.

If the equipment is directly wired into an electrical box with 

a shut off switch, obtain a lock pad and/or the appropriate 

colored tags and place the lock and tag through the shut 

off lever.  Retain the key until the repair is completed and 

the machine is safe to start.  Be certain the shut off lever 

is in the OFF position before restarting.  NEVER give a 

lock out key to unauthorized personnel.

If the equipment is directly wired into an electrical box 

without a shut off switch and lock out capability, then a 

circuit breaker lock out will be required.  Obtain a circuit 

lock and tag set.  Install the lock onto the circuit breaker 

box.  Ensure the unit ON/OFF switch is in the OFF position 

before restarting.

Lock Out/Tag Out Instructions - 

Pneumatic and Hydraulic Equipment

For servicing pneumatic and hydraulic equipment, the 

following additional procedures must be implemented, 

following completion of lock out/tag out procedures for 

the unit to be serviced:

Shut off air, water or supply valves at the equipment to 

be serviced.

Check the local bleed-off point for completed release of 

pressurized air, water or oil.

If shutting off of air, water or other material cannot be 

achieved at the local supply valve, shut off valves further 

back in the system and re-check the bleed-off point until  

complete shut-off is achieved.

Affix a DO NOT OPERATE tag to each valve handle that 

requires shut off.  Each DO NOT OPERATE tag must be 

signed and dated by the authorized technician servicing 

the equipment. 

Lock Out/Tag Out Instructions - 

Air Hose Connected Pneumatic Equipment

Equipment connected to the compressed air system 

through  an  air  hose  with  a  detachable  fitting  must  be 

shutdown and unplugged.  Excess air must be bled prior 

to removing the air hose, prior to any maintenance or 

repair activities.  

Affix a DO NOT OPERATE tag to the air hose near the 

detachable fitting.  Each DO NOT OPERATE tag must be 

signed and dated by the authorized technician servicing 

the equipment.  Check that the equipment cannot be 

operated by activating the ON switch.

Stored Energy

Immediately after applying Lock Out or Tag Out devices, 

ensure that all potentially hazardous stored or residual 

energy is relieved, disconnected, restrained and otherwise 

rendered safe.

Verification of Isolation

Verify the machinery or equipment is actually isolated and 

de-energized prior to beginning work on a machine or on 

equipment that has been locked out.

Restarting Procedures

Follow the procedures below prior to restoring energy:

• Ensure that all machinery or equipment is properly 

reassembled.  Inspect the machinery or equipment to 

verify non-essential items have been removed.

• Ensure that all personnel are safely outside danger 

zones.  Notify personnel that lock out/tag out devices have 

been removed and energy will be reapplied.

• Only authorized personnel may remove lock out/tag out 

devices or notices.  

Scope

During maintenance, repairs or retooling of a Northern Lights generator set, simply turning the machine off or unplugging 

it while it is being worked on does not give enough protection to others who are not performing the maintenance or 

repair.  Many serious accidents happen when someone thought the machine was turned off, or all of its energy was 

safely blocked or released. 

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Lock Out / Tag Out Procedures

Added 3-13-12