Why is Lockout/Tagout Important?
The OSHA standard for The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout), 29 CFR 1910.147, addresses safety procedures used in the workplace to ensure that dangerous machines are properly shut off and not able to be started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or servicing work.

Too many times, employees on a job site are injured or killed because they thought a machine was off, or the power to the machine was safely turned off when it wasn`t. Lock out tag out training is the best measure you can take to prevent these types of accidents from happening on the job site.

Does the lockout procedure have to be in writing?
In general, yes. OSHA says you have to document your lockout/tagout procedures. This makes sense because they`re instructions the mechanics have to follow when they do repairs.