title: Findings From the National Machine Guarding Program: A Small Business Intervention: Lockout/Tagout.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Failure to implement lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures adversely affects the rate of work-related fatalities and serious traumatic injury and is one of the most frequently cited Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. This study assesses the impact of a nationwide intervention to improve LOTO in small metal fabrication businesses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Insurance safety consultants conducted a standardized and validated evaluation of LOTO programs and procedures. Businesses received a baseline evaluation, two intervention visits, and a 12-month follow-up evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention was completed by 160 businesses. The mean LOTO procedure score improved from 8% to 33% (P < 0.0001), the mean program score went from 55% to 76% (P < 0.0001), and the presence of lockable disconnects went from 88% to 92% (P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This nationwide intervention showed substantial improvements in LOTO. It provides a framework for assessing and improving LOTO.
authors.affiliation: Park Nicollet Institute (Dr Parker, Mr Yamin, Dr Xi, Mr Gordon), Health Research Center, St Louis Park, MN; Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences (Dr Brosseau), School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago; School of Public Health (Dr Most), University of New England, Portland, ME; MEMIC (Mr Stanley), Loss Control Division, Portland, ME.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Samuel C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Yamin
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xi
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Brosseau
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Ivan G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Most
authors.forename: Rodney
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stanley
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008328:Man-Machine Systems; D066192:Manufacturing Industry; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016134:Organizational Policy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012449:Safety / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D058012:Small Business / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration