Lock Out Tag Out policy, what do you allow your molding techs to do on a mold without locking all energy sources? Cleaning or small repairs? Mold change? Where to put the limit?

From a troubleshooting standpoint...we keep them running through the diagnostics'(elect. & hydraulic) then LOTO.

Allow cleaning and setups. We have smaller presses though. The ones where your body or head are in platen areas would require more stringent precautions.

Keep on Molding!

brent

The local OSHA rules are for limited access during set up and or maintenance. Like pulling a stuck sprue or part.
Some companies require LOTO whenever breaking the plane inside the door, but common sense allows short cleaning or maintenance.
The rules are not clear and can be confusing.

Reid, Brent, Gregg, thank you for your input but lets try to be more specific:
1- Do you allow to remove a molded part stuck on the core pin?
2- Do you allow to cleanup a vent between plates?
3- Do you allow to disasemble a slide for cleanup and greasing?
If you respond no to any of these 3 situations, why?
Thanks again.
Claude

I can't answer those questions.All 3 jobs fall under the duties of the Processing Dept.However I am certain that the processors accomplish these jobs without LOTO.

If you read the OSHA rules, you will see it calls out " In the normal course of production ". It's a grey area.
The machines inherently have redundant safety features, i.e., hydraulic interlock, door electrical safety switch, etc.
If you completely understand the safeties of the machine, it should help you make the decision.

We allow cleaning of the tool, including the vents without locking out, IF, it can be done without climbing into the press, basically 500 ton and below. We allow this because your whole body does not enter into the machine, you are usually standing flat feet and blocking door access with your body. If you have to go to the non-op side of the machine to clean, we do require a LOTO on the door to prevent its closing.
Our LOTO comes into play mostly during the mold change time. If we have to remove a slide, that would also trigger the LOTO, because of the potential damage to the tool while the slide is removed.