Which safety measure is critical before starting work on a boiler?

Lockout/tagout procedures are critical before starting work on a boiler because they ensure that all energy sources are properly isolated and de-energized. This process involves placing locks or tags on energy-isolating devices, which prevents unauthorized operation of the equipment while maintenance or repair work is being performed. It is a fundamental safety measure that protects workers from accidental energization, release of hazardous energy, or unexpected machine startup.

Using lockout/tagout helps to eliminate the risks associated with working on powered equipment, especially in environments where multiple workers may be conducting operations simultaneously. This procedure is not only a best practice but also often a regulatory requirement to ensure worker safety.

While personal protective equipment, daily equipment inspections, and setting up fire extinguishers are also important safety measures, they do not specifically ensure the complete isolation of energy sources, which is essential to preventing accidents during maintenance on boilers. Therefore, lockout/tagout procedures hold paramount importance in this context.