The requirement for electrical energy control has been around for a long time. Prior to 1997 the acceptable method of electrical energy control throughout the Navy was to secure power and tag the circuit out. The problem with this form of energy control was that the tag could be ignored or overlooked and the power could be energized creating an electrical shock hazard.
Safety Design, a small company in Texas, produced a positive lock out device that could be retrofitted to power panels allowing individual breakers to be locked out. These positive lock out devices were made available through the GSA ordering system.
Naval Network Operations Command realized that these new electrical energy control devices could be used to retrofit power panels. An aggressive program was implemented to procure and install, using our own personnel, locking devices on all of our power panels, which provide power to mission essential equipment. This practice not only meets the full intent of the law, but also provides a safe working environment for the personnel who service the equipment and is replicable to both the private and public sector.
For more information, contact Mr. Thomas L. Minnick at (202) 764-2678 or via e-mail at minnickT1@nctc.navy.mil
