Control of Hazardous Energies (COHE) refers to the procedures and measures put in place to protect employees from injury or death due to exposure to hazardous energies in the workplace. These energies include electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic, chemical, and thermal sources. COHE awareness is crucial in general industry as it helps prevent injuries and fatalities resulting from the release of hazardous energies during servicing, maintenance, or repair of equipment.
COHE Awareness is essential in the general industry because it helps employers and employees understand the importance of identifying, assessing, and controlling hazardous energies in the workplace. It is a way to prevent injuries and fatalities resulting from the unexpected release of energy. Awareness programs teach employees about the potential sources of hazardous energy and how to recognize them, the types of equipment and devices that require lockout or tagout procedures, and the proper methods of isolating, controlling, and verifying hazardous energy sources.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to develop and implement a COHE program as part of their overall safety and health program. The program must be designed to prevent the release of hazardous energy and protect employees from exposure to these energies. Employers must also provide training to employees on the safe use, maintenance, and servicing of equipment that requires COHE procedures.
COHE Awareness training should cover the following areas:
- Hazardous energy sources: Employees should be trained to recognize and understand the potential sources of hazardous energy in the workplace, including electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, chemical, and thermal sources.
- Lockout/Tagout procedures: Employees should be trained on the proper procedures for locking out or tagging out equipment before servicing, maintenance, or repair.
- Equipment and devices: Employees should be trained on the types of equipment and devices that require lockout or tagout procedures, including machines, equipment, valves, switches, and pipelines.
- Verification of energy control: Employees should be trained on the proper methods of verifying that all hazardous energy sources have been isolated and controlled before beginning work.
COHE Awareness training should be ongoing and should be provided to new employees, as well as existing employees who have a change in job responsibilities or equipment. Employers should also conduct regular inspections and audits of their COHE program to ensure it is effective in protecting employees from hazardous energy sources.
In conclusion, COHE Awareness is crucial in the general industry as it helps prevent injuries and fatalities resulting from the unexpected release of hazardous energy. Employers must develop and implement a COHE program that includes training employees on the potential sources of hazardous energy, lockout/tagout procedures, equipment and devices, and verification of energy control. Ongoing COHE Awareness training and regular program audits are necessary to ensure the program’s effectiveness in protecting employees.