OSHA Definition
Per OSHA 1910.147(b), an affected employee is an employee whose job requires him/her to operate or use a machine or equipment on which servicing or maintenance is being performed under lockout or tagout, or whose job requires him/her to work in an area in which such servicing or maintenance is being performed.
Key Distinctions
Affected employees are distinct from authorized employees. While authorized employees perform the actual lockout/tagout, affected employees are those whose work is impacted by the energy control procedure. An affected employee becomes an authorized employee when their duties include servicing or maintenance covered by the standard.
Training Requirements
Under 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(B), affected employees must be instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure. They do not need the full technical training required for authorized employees, but they must understand why LOTO is being performed and the prohibition against restarting or reenergizing equipment.
In LOTOBuilder
LOTOBuilder tracks affected employees via the procedure role assignment system. Each procedure can designate specific affected employees who must be notified before and after lockout/tagout is applied.
