Who may remove a lockout device?

• A. Only the person that installed it.
• B. The supervisor
• C. Any authorized employee
• D. Safety officer

Answer: (A)

Lockout devices are there to keep equipment from starting while maintenance is being done. The person who applies the lockout is the only one who should remove it because they verified the isolation and know exactly what work was performed and what hazards remain. This ensures the machine cannot be restarted by someone who isn’t aware that maintenance is ongoing, protecting the worker from unexpected energization. If someone else could remove the lock, there’s a risk the equipment could be re-energized while a worker is still in or near the machine. So, the person who installed the lockout is the best choice for removing it.