Dynamic LOTO Procedure Generation From Electrical Node Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lock-out-tag-out (LOTO) systems are time-consuming and prone to human error, requiring manual creation of static procedures for each piece of equipment, which is inefficient and risky, especially when systems are modified or retrofitted.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a back-end system and a personal electronic device, where the back-end system stores an electrical node data set indicating equipment, energy isolation devices, and electrical connections, and dynamically determines LOTO procedures based on this data set, allowing for real-time management and optimization of LOTO processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If static pre-defined LOTO procedures are manually created for each piece of equipment, then the LOTO process provides comprehensive safety coverage, but the system requires significant time and is prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of creating LOTO procedures with an automated computer-based system that uses electrical node data sets to dynamically generate procedures. The system automatically identifies equipment, energy isolation devices, and electrical connections, eliminating manual tracing of design files and reducing human error while maintaining comprehensive safety coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing workers to dynamically generate LOTO procedures on-demand without requiring manual creation by safety professionals. The automated system retrieves electrical node data, identifies required energy isolation devices, and generates procedures independently, significantly reducing the time and expertise required while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If static pre-defined LOTO procedures are manually created and updated, then the procedures document all required safety steps, but the process is time-consuming and subject to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual updating of LOTO procedures with an automated system that dynamically retrieves current electrical node data and generates updated procedures. When systems are modified or retrofitted, the system automatically detects changes in the electrical node data set and regenerates procedures, eliminating manual review and updating while ensuring accuracy reflects current system state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring electrical node data and comparing it against existing LOTO procedures. When changes are detected in the electrical connections or energy isolation devices, the system automatically updates procedures to reflect current conditions, ensuring procedure accuracy without manual intervention and improving update efficiency.
3Reliability
If multiple locks are placed on shared EIDs to complete each LOTO process, then each LOTO procedure is fully executed, but unnecessary locks increase the complexity and time of the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple LOTO procedures that share common energy isolation devices by dynamically identifying overlapping EIDs in the electrical node data set. The system consolidates lock requirements so that a single lock on a shared EID satisfies multiple LOTO procedures simultaneously, reducing the total number of locks needed while ensuring all procedures are properly executed and maintaining safety reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A hazardous energy control system is presented. The system includes a back-end system and a personal electronic device communicatively connected to the back-end system. The personal electronic device provides a user interface for a user to select a set of equipment from the pieces equipment at the worksite for electrical isolation from hazardous energy sources via lockout/tagout (LOTO). The back-end system is configured to dynamically the back-end system is configured to dynamically determine a LOTO procedure for electrical isolation of the set of equipment from the hazardous energy sources based on the electrical node data set indicating pieces of equipment, energy isolation devices (EIDs), and electrical connections between the pieces of equipment and EIDs on a worksite.