CONTROL OF

HAZARDOUS ENERGY
IDENTIFRYING HAZARDOUS ENERGY
Energy, left uncontrolled is potentially
very dangerous. Many employee injuries
happen around machinery of some types.
Often, the accident involves electric shock,
burns or exposure to hazardous materials
or unexpected moving machinery. These
accidents share one thing in common: the
uncontrolled release of energy. Energy,
simply defined, is the capacity for doing
work.
Kinetic(moving) energy is the force caused
by the motion of an object, such as a
spinning flywheel. Potential(stored) energy
is the unseen force inside an object when
not moving, such as a spring under tension.
 OTHER ENERGY SOURCE
Electrical Energy- energy generated
through the conversion of other forms
such as mechanical, thermal or
chemical energy. Energy stored
between plates of a charged capacitor
is an example of potential electical
energy. Typical electrical energy
sources include open busbars, motors
and generators.
How to use safe electical practices
1. Use non-conducting tools
2. Check circuits dead before working
3. Lock and tag source breaker not switches
4. Ensure all control power is de-energized
5. Discharged all capacitors after lockout
Mechanical Energy Hazards
types of mechanical Energy Hazards
1. Kinetic –in motion- energy resulting
from moving objects are released loads
and uncoiling springs. When these
objects are released, their potential
energy is converted to kinetic energy.
Potential –stored- stored energy that
can be drawn upon to do work.
Suspended loads, compressed springs
and pressurized hydraulic systems are
examples. Potential energy can be
converted to kinetic energy and many of
the other energy forms.
Chemical Energy- the capacity of a
substance to do work or produce heat
through a change in its composition.
Chemical energy can be converted from
gasses, liuquids, solid chemicals and
vapors.
chemicals have energy that can:
1. Start fires
2. Cause skin burns
3. Generate harmful gases or fumes
Thermal Energy- energy transferred
from one body to another as the result
of a difference in temperature. Heat
flows from the hotter to the cooler body.
Sources include mechanical work,
radiation, chemical reaction, and
electical resistance.
 Energy of Heat (and Cold)
1. Hot equipment and fluids will burn you
2. Cold fluids can cause injuries also
3. Quick release of compresses gases can
freeze your skin
4. Allow equipment to reach a safe
temperature before starting work
Hydraulic Energy: Energy of Liquids Under
pressure
1. Pressure can cause equipment to move
2. Rapid release can cause injury
3. Or ejection of system parts

Pneumatic Energy: Energy of Compressed

Gases
1. Uncontrolled release can cause injury
2. Rapid de-pressurization creates extreme low
pressure.
HOW ENERGY BECOMES HAZARDOUS
Energy in any form becomes hazardous
when it builds to a dangerous level or is
release in a quantity that could injure a
worker. Hazardous energy is never far from
those who need to service or maintain
powered equipment. Simply turning the
power off doesn’t make the equipment safe!.
Its critical that those who service or repair
equipment know how hazardous energy
could harm them and how to control it.
CONTOLLING HAZARDOUS ENERGY
To control hazardous energy, you have to
prevent it from being transmitted from its
source to the equipment that it powers. You
can accomplished that by doing the ff:
1. Identifying energy sources- identify
equipment in your workplace that needs
service or maintenance. Determine the
form of energy that powers the
equipment, including potential energy that
may remain when the energy source is
disconnected.
2. De- energizing Equipment- means isolating it
from its energy source and controlling potential
energy so that no energy can flow to the
equipment. The method you use to de- energize
equipment depends on the form of energy and the
means available to control it. Safe practices to de-
energize equipment:
• Disconnect motors from equipments
• Isolate electrical circuits
• Disconnect equipment from energy sources
• Block the liquid flow in hydraulic, pneumatic or
steam systems with control valves
• Block equipment parts that could be moved by
gravity
3. Dissipating potential (stored) energy
that cant be isolated- stored energy
must be released after equipment has
been de-energize. Capacitors, coiled
springs, elevated machine members,
rotating flywheels and air, gas, steam,
chemical, and water systems are sources
of stored energy. If the energy could turn
to a hazardous level, make sure that it
remains isolated from the equipment until
all service work is finished.
Safe practices for Dissipating Potential
Energy:
• Vent pressurized fluids until internal
pressure levels reach atmospheric levels
• Discharge capacitors by grounding them
• Release or block tensioned springs
• Ensure that all moving parts have stopped
completely
4. Locking Out and Tagging Out Energy-
Isolating Devices- energy-isolating devices
prevent energy from being transmitted from
an energy source to equipment. Energy-
isolating devices are primary means for
protecting those who service equipment.
Examples are manually operated electrical
circuit breakers, main disconnect switches,
and line valves and blocks. An energy-
isolating device is effectively only when no
one can accidentally restart the equipment.
“LOTO”