The function of valve lockout
In the context of lockout tagout, valve lockout has the following functions:
- Safety control: Valve lockout can prevent valves from being operated without authorization or accidentally, thereby avoiding leaks, equipment damage, and even safety accidents caused by incorrect valve opening or closing.
- Prevention of misoperation: In industrial production, valves need to be maintained and repaired. Valve lockout can lock the valves during these processes to prevent accidents caused by carelessness or improper operation.
- Warning effect: Valve lockout and tagging can alert other personnel to pay attention that the valve is locked and cannot be approached or operated at will, serving as a warning function.
- Ensuring equipment safety status: By locking the valves, it can ensure that the equipment is absolutely closed and remains in a safe state, preventing the equipment from accidentally starting, causing injuries or fatalities. 
The commonly used materials for valve lockout and the reasons for their selection are as follows:
- Nylon: It has good impact resistance and chemical stability, is corrosion-resistant, and can maintain performance in harsh environments.
- ABS engineering plastic: It has high strength, good impact resistance, and can be molded into various shapes to adapt to different valve types.
- Polypropylene: It has good impact resistance, is resistant to chemical corrosion, and is sturdy and durable.
- Polytetrafluoroethylene: It has excellent corrosion resistance and wear resistance, and is often used as the valve seat or diaphragm surface material of valves.
- Industrial-grade steel: It has high strength and durability, is suitable for most industrial environments, and can effectively prevent external forces from damaging.
- Stainless steel: It has strong corrosion resistance and is suitable for high-temperature, high-humidity or environments with chemical corrosion. For example, austenitic stainless steel, special stainless steel, etc., are suitable for different corrosive media.