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Self‐audit of lockout/tagout in manufacturing workplaces: A pilot study
Author(s) -
Yamin Samuel C.,
Parker David L.,
Xi Min,
Stanley Rodney
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22715
Subject(s) - audit , checklist , reliability (semiconductor) , medicine , occupational medicine , accounting , operations management , business , medical emergency , occupational exposure , psychology , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , cognitive psychology , economics
Background Occupational health and safety (OHS) self‐auditing is a common practice in industrial workplaces. However, few audit instruments have been tested for inter‐rater reliability and accuracy. Methods A lockout/tagout (LOTO) self‐audit checklist was developed for use in manufacturing enterprises. It was tested for inter‐rater reliability and accuracy using responses of business self‐auditors and external auditors. Results Inter‐rater reliability at ten businesses was excellent ( κ = 0.84). Business self‐auditors had high (100%) accuracy in identifying elements of LOTO practice that were present as well those that were absent (81% accuracy). Reliability and accuracy increased further when problematic checklist questions were removed from the analysis. Conclusions Results indicate that the LOTO self‐audit checklist would be useful in manufacturing firms’ efforts to assess and improve their LOTO programs. In addition, a reliable self‐audit instrument removes the need for external auditors to visit worksites, thereby expanding capacity for outreach and intervention while minimizing costs.