When practicing LOTO procedures, locks should generally be removed by?

The principle behind Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures is to ensure that specific equipment is properly shut off and incapable of being started up again until maintenance or servicing is completed. The correct choice focuses on a fundamental safety aspect of LOTO practices: only the person who applied a lock should be responsible for its removal.

This ensures that the individual who understands the context of the lockout situation — who has firsthand knowledge of why the lock was applied — is the only one authorized to remove it. By requiring that the installer of the lock be the only one to take it off, this approach minimizes the risk of accidental startup, which could lead to severe accidents or injuries.

In practice, if someone else were allowed to remove the lock, they may not be aware of the ongoing work or who may still be in harm’s way. Thus, the focus on one individual being responsible for the lock reinforces accountability and enhances safety protocols within the organization.