LOTO, which step keeps lockout during shift change?

• A. Shut Down Equipment Properly
• B. Notify Employees
• C. Disconnect all primary energy sources
• D. Keep it in force during shift change

Answer: (D)

Lockout/Tagout is about ensuring equipment stays de-energized while maintenance is happening. Keeping the lockout in force during a shift change preserves that protection as responsibility passes from one worker to the next. If the lockout were removed or not maintained during the handoff, someone could restart the equipment unexpectedly, risking injury. The other steps—shutting down properly, notifying employees, or disconnecting energy sources—are important parts of the overall process, but they don’t address the safety need to maintain the locked-out state across a shift change. Maintaining the lockout ensures the machine remains isolated and safe until the next authorized person verifies it’s safe to restore energy.