Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) in the UK: Isolation Done Right
Last updated: 8 October 2025 Author: Jade Anderson, Senior Reporter — UK-Safety.News
TL;DR: Prove it’s dead, lock it off, tag it, and try it—every time. Manage stored energy and verify before you start.
Why LOTO Matters
Uncontrolled energy causes some of the worst injuries. Effective isolation prevents contact with electricity, pressure, motion, heat, and chemicals during maintenance and non-routine tasks.
The LOTO Process
1) Prepare
Identify all energy sources (electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, gravity). Review P&IDs and SOPs.
2) Shut down & isolate
Stop equipment, open isolators, apply group locks and personal locks.
3) Dissipate stored energy
Bleed, vent, block, discharge, neutralise; verify zero energy state.
4) Verify (try-out)
Attempt a start with guards fitted; check for absence of voltage/pressure/motion.
5) Return to service
Area clear, guards reinstated, remove locks in order, communicate restart.
Controls & Documentation
Use isolation registers, hasp systems for groups, and permit-to-work where the task is high-risk. Train authorised persons and verify competence annually.
Quick Audit
✅ Up-to-date isolation procedures
✅ Correct locks/hasps/tags available
✅ Test equipment calibrated
✅ Evidence of verification steps recorded
✅ Annual competence refreshers