What is lockout in rigging terms?

• A. A technique to lube moving parts
• B. The act of securing the rigging to the grid
• C. The act of isolating an energy source and applying a lock to prevent operation during service
• D. A method for predicting load safety

Answer: (C)

Lockout means isolating the energy source that could power a rigging piece and placing a lock (often with a tag) so it cannot be operated while someone is working on it. This protects workers from unexpected startups or from released stored energy during maintenance. It’s not about lubrication, securing rigging to the grid, or predicting load safety. In practice, you shut off and disconnect the energy source, isolate hydraulic or pneumatic lines if needed, apply a lock to the control switch or valve, attach a warning tag, and verify that the equipment can’t energize before starting work. Only after the service is complete and everyone is clear do you remove the lockout to resume normal operation.