A switch that requires excessive force to operate must not be lined. What must you do to ensure other employees do not attempt to line the switch and sustain an injury?

• A. Place an out of service or bad order tag directly to the switch lock, keeper / hook.
• B. Notify supervisor and leave switch unchanged.
• C. Lock the switch and continue.
• D. Tape the switch handle.

Answer: (A)

Lockout/tagout procedures are used to prevent operation of defective equipment and protect workers from injury. When a switch requires excessive force to operate, it signals a mechanical fault that could cause harm if someone forces it and attempts to line it. Attaching an out-of-service or bad-order tag directly to the switch lock, keeper, or hook provides a clear, visible indication that the switch is not to be used. The tag communicates the reason and that the device is locked out, while the physical lock prevents anyone from operating the switch until maintenance has repaired it and authorized personnel remove the lock and tag. This approach directly reduces the risk of someone being injured by an attempted, forceful operation.

Notifying a supervisor and leaving the switch unchanged does not physically prevent use, so others might still attempt to line the switch. Locking the switch and continuing ignores the hazard. Taping the handle is not a reliable or standardized safety method and can be removed or overlooked.