Importance of the Lockout Mechanism on Debris Caps 08/2015
We have discussed time and time again about the benefits of debris caps. They help prevent dirt and debris from entering pipes and valves and causing damage. This is a good things for many reasons - damage is costly and can lead to potential safety risks. But, what really takes the debris cap to the next level is the lockout mechanism option. The lockout mechanism is an incredibly important feature because it prevents unauthorized access to pipes and valves. This does not only mean criminal activity is prevented but also prevents unsafe access in the event of service or an emergency. While it is easy to imagine an injury occurring from unwanted access during an emergency, they can happen at any time, even during routine service. For this reason, installing debris caps with a lockout mechanism is a wise choice.
The new lockout mechanism option converts the standard debris cap to a safely locking device that helps businesses remain OSHA compliant. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is a federal organization that sets certain standards of safety to help protect employees in the workplace from hazardous and unhealthy working conditions. Working on valves and pipes can be a hazardous job due to the inherent nature of climbing into manhole shafts and working with pipes and valves that contain gas and other potentially hazardous materials. When a worker is accessing a line it may be unsafe for someone else to access the same line simultaneously. A lockout mechanism can help prevent this from happening and help reduce the occurrence of workplace hazards. The opening and closing of valves while work is being completed can be dangerous for all involved employees so by implementing a lockout mechanism you can mitigate this potential risk. When companies remain OSHA compliant they reduce their risk of lawsuit and help reduce their insurance costs because they have taken the necessary safety precautions that are expected by the federal government. For this reason, most utility companies want to be OSHA compliant but when it came to valves and risers, there was no option for lockout. That was, until Debris Caps with lockout mechanism came along. Now, with the easy and efficient addition of debris caps with lockout mechanism you can instantly make your company OSHA compliant and have the peace of mind that you are protecting your workers. The time and money it will take to purchase and install debris caps with lockout mechanism is far less than the potential time and costs involved with lawsuits and employee injuries so it is an incredibly worthwhile investment.