In terms of electrical safety, what does the term "lockout/tagout" refer to?

Lockout/tagout refers to a crucial safety procedure used in industrial and maintenance settings to ensure that machinery and equipment are properly shut off and not able to be started again until maintenance or repair work is complete. This is particularly important to protect workers who might be exposed to hazardous energy during servicing.

The "lockout" part involves physically locking the energy-isolating device in the off position to prevent machinery from being accidentally re-energized. The "tagout" part involves placing a tag on the device to inform others that the equipment is not to be operated until the tag is removed. This procedure helps in preventing accidental startup and ensures that workers can safely perform their tasks without the risk of injury from unexpected equipment operation.

In contrast, documenting inspections, connecting multiple circuits, or installing new wiring do not specifically pertain to ensuring safety during maintenance or servicing operations, making them less relevant to the concept of lockout/tagout.