Which statement best describes lockout versus tagout in a LOTO program?

• A. Both physically prevent energization.
• B. Lockout provides warning not to re-energize but does not physically prevent energization.
• C. Lockout provides physical isolation to prevent energization; tagout warns not to re-energize but does not mechanically prevent it.
• D. Tagout physically locks devices.

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is the difference between physically isolating energy sources and merely warning not to energize. Lockout uses a lock and other hardware to physically prevent energization; the energy-control device is secured so it cannot be operated until the lock is removed by the authorized person. Tagout uses a warning tag attached to the energy-control device to tell others not to energize, but it does not mechanically stop energizing—the device could still be operated if someone ignores or bypasses the tag. That’s why the statement describing lockout as providing physical isolation and tagout as providing a warning without mechanical prevention is the best description. In practice, lockout is the stronger protective method, while tagout is used when a lock cannot be applied or as an added procedural safeguard, but tags alone do not physically prevent energization.