Last updated on 22 July 2026.
In industrial environments, production processes are becoming increasingly complex, and the pace of the complexity is rapidly increasing. As a result, it is not always easy for employees to know when certain machines or equipment must not be used.
That is why it is important to ensure that employees are warned that they cannot operate certain machines while maintenance or repair work is being carried out. An effective method used to achieve this is known as Lockout-Tagout (LoTo).
In this article, we explain what Lockout-Tagout is, why it is so important for protecting your colleagues, and the role played by the new European standard EN 17975.
What is Lockout-Tagout?
Lockout-Tagout is a standardised safety procedure that ensures a machine or installation cannot be started or operated while work is being carried out on it. In practice, this involves several measures:
- The machine is locked, for example, during maintenance—to prevent it from being accidentally started or becoming operational while someone is working on it.
- Access is restricted to authorised personnel only. Only the person carrying out the work possesses the lock or key required to remove the lockout, thereby preventing colleagues from switching on or energizing the equipment unintentionally.
- A strict sequence must be followed. For installations consisting of several interconnected machines, it may be necessary to unlock Machine A before Machine B can be unlocked to prevent machines from interacting with one another, and ensuring that work is carried out in the correct sequence.
In practice, this involves locking (lockout) the machine or energy source by using a dedicated lock, and attaching a tag with clear warning messages (tagout) indicating who applied the lock and the reason.
Why is Lockout-Tagout important?
1. Protection during maintenance and repair work
Lockout-Tagout creates a safe working environment for employees carrying out maintenance or repair work on machinery and equipment. Because the machine is locked, access is restricted to those performing the work, and any required operating sequence is enforced, allowing employees to carry out their tasks with confidence, knowing that the equipment is unable to be started unexpectedly or be operated by someone else.
2. Promoting a safety culture
Lockout-Tagout is more than just a procedure—it is a philosophy of safety. It is crucial for employers to provide adequate training and raise awareness to ensure that Lockout-Tagout is correctly implemented, and fully integrated into day-to-day operations.
European Standard EN 17975
Anyone implementing a Lockout-Tagout programme today will inevitably encounter the European standard EN 17975. This standard sets out how organisations should manage the risks associated with energy sources and fluids during maintenance work, providing greater structure and consistency to the way Lockout-Tagout programmes are designed and implemented.
EN 17975 defines nine steps for implementing both enhanced and standard isolation: isolating energy sources and fluids, isolation, lockout, tagout, identification, energy dissipation, verification, containment, and inspection.
A key element of the standard is the verification step, commonly referred to in the industry as the "Tryout"—the T in LoToTo (Lockout-Tagout-Tryout). This step is essential for confirming that the safety measures taken have been correctly implemented, and remain effective over time. Important to note: EN 17975 does not require every machine or pipeline to be completely de-energised during every maintenance intervention. Instead, the standard provides a risk-based framework, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
For companies wishing to align their existing Lockout-Tagout programme with EN 17975, it is advisable not only to update procedures on paper, but also to translate them into machine-specific procedures that are effectively implemented on the shop floor.
Beyond the site visit: discover the full range of LoTo services
A personal site visit is a great first step, but through us you get access to Brady's full range of services. Want to go further? During a Lockout/Tagout Discovery Day, a Brady Safety Engineer works with your team on site to map out the lockout requirements and energy isolation points of your machines, giving you a concrete overview to help you plan and budget. For a fully rolled-out programme, there's the Turnkey or Assist Lockout programme, which delivers machine-specific procedures and labelling on the shop floor. On top of that, there are Lockout/Tagout training courses tailored to your team, and LINK360, Brady's safety software platform, to manage all your procedures centrally.
Curious what would work best for your business? Get in touch with us and we're happy to talk through which approach fits.
Book your personalised walkthrough with a Lockout-Tagout expert!
Would you like to take workplace safety to the next level? Are you looking for practical solutions to safely lock out machinery, restrict access to authorised personnel only, and ensure these measures are supported by robust procedures? Do you want to learn how to comply with EN 17975? If so, now is the perfect opportunity to discover the rationale and benefits of Lockout-Tagout.
We are offering you the opportunity to take part in a personalised on-site walkthrough with a Lockout-Tagout expert. The Safety Engineers at Brady are ready to share their extensive knowledge and experience with you.
During this exclusive walkthrough, you will have the opportunity to:
- Gain in-depth insight: You will be guided step by step, from identifying energy sources, to correctly implementing lockout and tagout procedures. You will learn all the essential elements required to create a safe working environment in compliance with EN 17975.
- Practical tips and tricks: Learn how to work more efficiently, avoid common pitfalls, and deal effectively with complex situations. With this knowledge, you will be able to optimise your Lockout-Tagout procedures.
- Explore tailor-made solutions: The walkthrough is tailored to the specific needs of your specific working environment. Whether you operate in construction, manufacturing, the chemical industry, or a different sector, you will receive practical solutions which can be immediately implemented within your organisation.
- Discover the latest technologies: Our expert will update you on the latest standards, including EN 17975, and demonstrate how digital tools can streamline the Lockout-Tagout process, improve compliance, and collect real-time data for analysis and reporting.
Want to go straight beyond the site visit? During your visit, feel free to ask about Brady's Discovery Day, its Turnkey and Assist programmes, or its Lockout/Tagout training courses. Each one a service that helps you make a real difference on the shop floor.
Don't wait any longer! Book your personalised Lockout-Tagout walkthrough with a Brady Safety Engineer, and invest in the safety of your workforce.
Book my personalised walkthrough