LOTO Removal Form

This is the overview on the Abandoned Lock Removal process, an FAQ portion and includes the Abandoned Lock Removal Form. Keeping workers safe and free of injury by controlling hazardous energy. Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) allows employees to isolate hazardous energy to avoid an unexpected release of energy from equipment or systems during servicing and/or maintenance It is important to get authorization and complete the necessary steps when removing someone else’s locks. Removing another person’s locks is not allowed for routine work. There are some situations where this is necessary and acceptable.

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) helps keep workers safe by controlling hazardous energy. LOTO allows employees to isolate hazardous energy and avoid an unexpected release of energy from equipment or systems during servicing and/or maintenance.

Important: Removing another person’s LOTO lock is not permitted for routine work. Authorization and required removal steps must be completed when removal is necessary.
FAQ
My employee is sick or on vacation and has a lock on equipment. What do I do?

Go to the Lock Shop to fill out the Lock Removal Authorization Form and obtain a copy of the key.

Return the form and key to the Lock Shop afterward. When the employee returns, inform them that their lock was removed.

Where can I find copies of the Lock Removal Authorization Form?

Copies are available from the Lock Shop, or you can open the form below.

LOTO Removal Form
My employee leaves the organization. What do I do with their locks and keys?

Take the locks to the Lock Shop to be consolidated. This helps ensure that missing locks or keys do not end up in the hands of unauthorized employees.

My employee transfers to a new department. What do I do with their locks and keys?

Take the locks to the Lock Shop to be consolidated.

The new supervisor should submit a work order for the employee to receive new locks and a new key.

My employee loses their lock or key. What do we do?
Missing Lock:
Return the key to the Lock Shop. All keys for the missing lock will be destroyed, and the employee will receive new locks and keys.
Missing Key:
Bring the lock to the Lock Shop. The Lock Shop can rekey the lock or issue a new set of locks and a key.
I need to remove a lock after hours and the Lock Shop is closed. What do I do?
Emergency situations only: The supervisor may cut the lock off after verifying that there is no risk of hazardous energy being released and after informing affected employees of the lock removal.

The removed lock must be returned to the Lock Shop promptly, and the Lock Removal Authorization Form must be completed.

Example Scenario
George’s Lock Removal Scenario

George is performing a routine PM on a condenser in the basement of the Grainger Building. George has a pressure relief valve locked out.

George goes on vacation for a week. An issue occurs and the condenser needs to be tested. To do so, the pressure relief valve needs to be turned.

Jane, his coworker, is assigned to the issue. However, Jane does not have George’s key to unlock his LOTO lock.

What should Jane do?

  1. Jane must inform her supervisor about the situation.
  2. The supervisor and Jane must ensure that there is no risk of unreleased or stored energy causing harm.
  3. The supervisor and Jane must go to the Lock Shop to request a copy of George's key.
  4. The Lock Shop team will provide the Lock Removal Authorization Form and a copy of the key.
  5. The supervisor and Jane must inform affected employees about the lock removal.
  6. The supervisor and Jane must complete the Lock Removal Authorization Form and use the copy of the key to unlock George's lock and complete the necessary work.
  7. The supervisor and Jane must return the form and the copy of George's key to the Lock Shop.
  8. When George returns to work, the supervisor and Jane must inform him that his lock was removed and return the lock to him.
LOTO Removal Form

Use the Lock Removal Authorization Form when authorized removal of another employee’s lock is required.

Open LOTO Removal Form

Keywords:
loto, lockout, lock out, tagout, tag out, lock removal, abandoned lock, missing lock, lost, LOTO, LOTO removal, form 
Doc ID:
163929
Owned by:
Sophie J. in Facilities KB DEMO
Created:
2026-09-04
Updated:
2026-09-09
Sites:
Facilities KB DEMO