AZASSP Technical Meeting FY27-06

Title: When Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Gets Complicated: Solving Complex Energy Control Challenges

Instructor: Chris Armstrong, QSSP, MasterLock

Description: Lockout/Tagout is straightforward—until it isn’t. This technical session goes beyond the fundamentals of 29 CFR 1910.147 to examine complex and unique energy-control situations safety professionals may encounter in the field. Through practical examples, participants will explore challenges involving gravity, stored energy, multiple energy sources, equipment configuration, and situations where traditional lockout methods may not provide an obvious solution. The discussion will focus on recognizing hidden hazards, evaluating energy-control procedures, and developing practical, defensible solutions when LOTO gets complicated.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify complex and often-overlooked hazardous energy sources, including gravity, stored mechanical energy, pressure, and other forms of residual energy that must be addressed during LOTO.
2. Evaluate complex LOTO scenarios and energy-control procedures to determine whether hazardous energy has been effectively isolated, controlled, and verified before work begins.
3. Apply practical problem-solving strategies to unique LOTO challenges and identify feasible solutions when conventional lockout methods alone are insufficient to adequately control employee exposure.

Bio:

Chris Armstrong, QSSP is a Territory Manager with The Master Lock Company, supporting safety and industrial customers throughout Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Hawaii. A Qualified Safety Sales Professional and Certified Lockout Practitioner, Chris brings extensive knowledge of occupational safety, regulatory compliance, and practical lockout/tagout solutions to organizations across a variety of industries.

Chris also holds OSHA 30 and MSHA training credentials, including MSHA Part 48 New Miner certification. Through his work with Master Lock, he helps safety professionals and employers evaluate hazardous energy control challenges and implement practical lockout/tagout solutions designed to protect employees and strengthen workplace safety programs.