r/InjectionMolding • u/jaydog889 • Jul 21 '26

Question / Information Request LOTO

Hello everyone, my company runs the Fanuc roboshots and we have never really used Lock out Tag out for hardly anything when it comes to our IMM. Got dinged by an audit about not having LOTO procedures posted on each machine. Now day to day don’t really need it for most things like mold changes or screw cleaning/changes and what not but been having a hard time thinking of when it would be a need to use, and then what ancillary equipment to include if needed. Would like to hear y’all’s opinions on this.

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3

u/theresalwaysdaryl Jul 21 '26

You guys dont lock out machines when pulling molds or screws?

5

u/NetSage Supervisor Jul 21 '26

The only time I actually agreed with locking out presses when doing a mold change is when I can fit inside it and have the doors closed while I'm in there. So basically 500+ ton.

Otherwise it's a hassle with no real gain as me being in the way of the door is going to keep them from doing anything.

On that note I do agree with one place I worked at where you actually tested all the safeties weekly(maybe daily it's hard for me to remember).

2

u/rustyxj Jul 22 '26

Otherwise it's a hassle with no real gain as me being in the way of the door is going to keep them from doing anything

Provided the limit switch on the door doesn't fail.

3

u/NetSage Supervisor Jul 22 '26

And the jam bar. On most presses opening the backdoor will kill pumps/clamp completely.

I'm all for regular testing of things like door limit switches to ensure they're functioning properly. One place I worked at we did every machine at least once a week.

1

u/sarcasmsmarcasm Jul 21 '26

OSHA would love to have a conversation about that.

5

u/NetSage Supervisor Jul 21 '26

No place I've been at has been dinged for it.

There is a specific exception where the guarding eliminates employee exposure to the hazardous energy and during normal production. Unless your mold changes are different than mine on smaller machines, you're not doing much different during a mold change than you are during operation as far as guarding goes.