Lockout/tagout procedures are necessary for both routine and emergency maintenance on equipment and systems, in order to protect workers from unexpected energy discharge, electrocution, or machine functioning. They should also be followed before a natural disaster and during the recovery process, especially in the event of hurricanes or flooding. Water exposure can do serious damage to electrical systems and powered equipment, and this equipment can present serious, fatal electrocution hazards, even when standing in water nearby. Safely locking out these systems in advance of major adverse weather conditions as well as afterwards when doing repairs can help prevent power discharge incidents.

If time allows and conditions are safe, follow standard LOTO practices in advance of flooding or hurricane conditions.

1. Prepare for shutdown – compile all your information on your electrical equipment and systems to ensure familiarity and proper procedures
2. Notify affected employees
3. Shut down equipment
4. Isolate energy sources
5. Apply LOTO devices like padlocks to energy sources
6. Release or control all stored energy
7. Double-check everything
8. Keep equipment in lockout state until it’s safe to operate again

Whether in advance of inclement weather or during a disaster recovery, it’s vital to ensure that you’re not only following standard lockout-tagout practices, but that you’re also accounting for the situation and potential immediate or long-term damage to equipment.

• Deenergize: This is a crucial LOTO step, but it bears emphasis here. Before a storm arrives, deenergize electrical equipment to minimize electrical hazards from water exposure
• Elevate and Relocate: Consider moving critical equipment out of a flood zone or to a higher floor or higher ground, or elevating the equipment on risers or shelving
• Avoiding Electrocution Hazards: Never operate, touch, or even turn off electrical devices while standing in water. Avoid areas with potential underwater wiring and don’t even touch anything electrical that’s been in contact with water
• Replacing Components: Parts of electrical equipment, particularly when exposed to water, may need to be fully replaced before reenergizing and testing
• Monitoring: After reenergizing equipment following a disaster, a monitoring period will be necessary to ensure it’s working properly

Prioritizing Electrical Equipment to Repair

A site walkthrough to determine the extent of equipment and system damage will be necessary, aided by documentation, drawings, and any other information on these systems and their operation. During this walkthrough, you’ll assess damage and create a list of necessary repairs. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends the following prioritization for your repairs, tiered by the importance of these systems and equipment.

1. Category 1: Medium-voltage electrical equipment including distribution transformers
2. Category 2: Low-voltage distribution equipment
3. Category 3: Electric motors
4. Category 4: Power and control wiring
5. Category 5: Balance of plant electrical equipment

How to Compile a Summary Report

Gathering a summary report for future reference is a helpful last step during disaster recovery. For your electrical equipment, it can be an invaluable reference to your system’s history, documenting damage sustained, steps taken, and future repairs.

• The condition of your electrical infrastructure as found after the disaster
• Condition assessment of any individual pieces of equipment
•  All equipment repaired or replaced
• Test results for all equipment tested, both before and after any service done
• Long-term replacement plans for damaged equipment