What is the difference between lockout and tagout?

Lockout puts a lock on an energy-isolating device so the machine cannot be turned on. Tagout adds a tag that says why, when and who. The tag is used with the lock, not instead of it.

Does this course let me lock out equipment at work?

No. It is background knowledge only. Your employer must train you on its hazardous energy program and the written procedure for each machine, and only trained, assigned workers may do lockout.

Can a supervisor remove a worker's lock?

Only under a special procedure. In BC, the supervisor must make every reasonable effort to contact the worker, make sure the equipment is safe, and the worker is told at the start of their next shift.

What should a security guard do if they see a lockout?

Leave the lock and tag alone, never operate the equipment, and report anything that looks damaged, tampered with or unsafe to a supervisor.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Lockout/Tagout Awareness Course 2026

Question 1 of 25

What is the main purpose of lockout?

To show which machines are due for their yearly inspection
To stop a machine from being started or moving while someone works on it
To save power by switching off machines that are not in use
To keep thieves from stealing tools left near the machine during the night shift

Show answer

Answer: B. To stop a machine from being started or moving while someone works on it

Lockout holds an energy-isolating device in the safe position so equipment cannot be energized while people work on it.

Question 2 of 25

Which Canadian standard deals with the control of hazardous energy by lockout and other methods?

CSA Z1000
CSA B149
CSA Z460
CSA Z94.1

Show answer

Answer: C. CSA Z460

CSA Z460, Control of hazardous energy — Lockout and other methods, sets out how to manage hazardous energy from machines and equipment.

Question 3 of 25

A roll-up door is raised for repairs and could drop. What kind of hazardous energy is this?

Chemical energy
Electromagnetic energy
Gravitational energy
Thermal energy

Show answer

Answer: C. Gravitational energy

CCOHS says an overhead roll-up door has gravitational potential energy, so a raised door can drop if it is not blocked.

Question 4 of 25

A machine has been switched off, but there is still pressure in one of its hydraulic lines. What is this called?

Residual or stored energy
Static charge
Primary energy from the supply
Backup power

Show answer

Answer: A. Residual or stored energy

Energy left in a system after the supply is shut off, such as pressure in a line, is residual or stored energy. It must be released or blocked.

Question 5 of 25

Which of these is an energy-isolating device that can be locked out?

A circuit breaker
A stop button on the control panel
A start button on a remote
A selector switch for speed

Show answer

Answer: A. A circuit breaker

Disconnect switches, circuit breakers, line valves and blocks isolate energy. Push buttons and selector switches are control switches, not isolating devices.

Question 6 of 25

A co-worker says pressing the stop button on the panel is enough before reaching into a machine. Why is this wrong?

Stop buttons must be pressed twice to work
Stop buttons only work during the day shift
The panel must be unplugged from the wall outlet first
A control switch does not isolate the energy source

Show answer

Answer: D. A control switch does not isolate the energy source

Push buttons and other control circuit switches are not energy-isolating devices, so they do not make the machine safe to work on.

Question 7 of 25

What information should a lockout tag show?

The reason, the date and time, and who applied it
The machine's purchase price and its warranty date
The phone number of the local fire department
The name of the company that built the machine

Show answer

Answer: A. The reason, the date and time, and who applied it

A tag states why the lockout is in place, when it was applied and the name of the authorized person who applied it.

Question 8 of 25

Three workers will be inside the same machine. How many personal locks should be on the system?

Three locks, one for each worker
Two locks, one for each shift
No locks if a tag is in place
One lock, held by the supervisor

Show answer

Answer: A. Three locks, one for each worker

Each person must place their own lock on the system, so the number of locks matches the number of workers.

Question 9 of 25

How many keys should a personal lockout lock have?

Two keys, one kept in the office
One key, with no master key
As many as the crew needs
One key plus a supervisor's master key

Show answer

Answer: B. One key, with no master key

CCOHS says each lock has one key and master keys are not allowed, so only the person who placed it can open it.

Question 10 of 25

Under BC's OHS Regulation, what must a worker do with the key to their personal lock during the job?

Hand it to the next shift
Keep immediate control of it
Store it in the machine's control panel
Leave it hanging on the lock

Show answer

Answer: B. Keep immediate control of it

Section 10.7 of BC's OHS Regulation says workers must keep immediate control of the keys to their personal locks for the whole job.

Question 11 of 25

Under BC's OHS Regulation, who may normally remove a personal lock?

The worker who installed it
A security guard on patrol
The machine operator
Any supervisor on the current shift

Show answer

Answer: A. The worker who installed it

Section 10.8 of BC's OHS Regulation says a personal lock must only be removed by the worker who installed it.

Question 12 of 25

In BC, a worker went home and left their lock on. Before a supervisor removes it, what must the supervisor do?

Wait one full week before touching it
Cut it off right away so production can restart on time
Ask a security guard to witness the removal
Make every reasonable effort to contact that worker

Show answer

Answer: D. Make every reasonable effort to contact that worker

Section 10.8 says the supervisor or manager must try hard to contact the worker who installed the lock and make sure the equipment can be run safely.

Question 13 of 25

In BC, if a worker's personal lock was removed while they were away, when must they be told?

At their yearly performance review
Within 30 days, in writing
At the start of their next shift
Only if they ask about it

Show answer

Answer: C. At the start of their next shift

Section 10.8(3) of BC's OHS Regulation says the worker must be told at the start of their next shift if their lock was removed.

Question 14 of 25

What is the first step of a lockout procedure, according to CCOHS?

Prepare by identifying the equipment and energy sources
Try to start the machine to see if it runs
Put your personal lock on the main power switch right away
Remove the machine's guards to look inside it

Show answer

Answer: A. Prepare by identifying the equipment and energy sources

The first step is to prepare: identify the equipment, all its energy sources and the devices needed to isolate them.

Question 15 of 25

During a lockout, when are locks and tags applied?

Before the machine is shut down
After the energy is isolated and stored energy is released
Only after the repair work is finished
Before anyone in the area is told about the planned shutdown

Show answer

Answer: B. After the energy is isolated and stored energy is released

CCOHS lists the order as shut down, isolate, release stored energy, then apply locks and tags, then verify.

Question 16 of 25

Why do workers test the start controls after locking out and before starting work?

To make sure the lock is the right colour
To warm up the motor so it restarts quickly
To check that the machine still has power for later
To verify that the machine will not start

Show answer

Answer: D. To verify that the machine will not start

Verifying isolation proves the lockout works. BC's regulation requires workers to verify that all energy sources are locked out before work starts.

Question 17 of 25

Alberta's explanation guide describes a "bump" test. What is it?

Trying the start controls to confirm it will not run
Knocking on the machine's housing to check whether anyone is inside
Moving the machine slightly to check that it is sitting level on the shop floor
Tapping the lock several times to check that it is closed tightly

Show answer

Answer: A. Trying the start controls to confirm it will not run

A bump test is an attempt to activate the equipment after isolation to confirm it will not operate, as part of verifying isolation.

Question 18 of 25

Before locks are removed and a machine is restarted, what should be done?

Ask the newest worker to press start
Check the area and make sure everyone is clear
Remove the tags first and leave the locks in place
Turn the controls to full speed

Show answer

Answer: B. Check the area and make sure everyone is clear

CCOHS says to inspect the area, confirm people are clear, put controls in neutral, remove devices and tell affected workers before re-energizing.

Question 19 of 25

In a group lockout using a lock box, when can the isolation keys be taken out of the box?

When every worker's personal lock is off the box
When half of the workers have finished
At the end of the first shift
When the supervisor decides the job is nearly done

Show answer

Answer: A. When every worker's personal lock is off the box

In group control, the keys go in a lock box and each worker adds a personal lock. The keys cannot be removed until all personal locks are off.

Question 20 of 25

Which part of Alberta's OHS Code is titled Managing the Control of Hazardous Energy?

Part 9
Part 15
Part 32
Part 29

Show answer

Answer: B. Part 15

Part 15 of Alberta's OHS Code, Managing the Control of Hazardous Energy, covers isolation, verifying isolation, personal locks and returning to operation.

Question 21 of 25

Under BC's OHS Regulation, what must happen before maintenance work is done on machinery that is shut down?

The owner must call the local police
The energy-isolating devices must be locked out
The machine must be painted a warning colour
The machine must be unplugged for a full 24 hours

Show answer

Answer: B. The energy-isolating devices must be locked out

Section 10.3 says no work may be done on shut-down machinery until, among other things, the energy-isolating devices are locked out.

Question 22 of 25

In a lockout program, what is an "authorized person"?

A visitor who has signed in at the front desk today
Anyone who works in the same building
A trained person assigned to carry out lockout
The person who owns the equipment

Show answer

Answer: C. A trained person assigned to carry out lockout

CCOHS describes an authorized person as someone qualified through knowledge, training and experience who has been assigned to carry out hazardous energy control.

Question 23 of 25

On a night patrol, you find a lock and tag on a breaker panel and the lock looks forgotten. What should you do?

Leave it in place and report it to your supervisor
Take the tag off and keep it as evidence
Turn the breaker on to test whether the lock works
Cut the lock off so day staff can use the machine

Show answer

Answer: A. Leave it in place and report it to your supervisor

Only the worker who installed a lock may remove it, under the site's procedure. A guard should never touch it and should report concerns.

Question 24 of 25

Why is a tag alone not enough to keep a machine from starting?

Tags fade in sunlight after only a few hours
A tag must be signed by a provincial inspector to count
Tags are only allowed on electrical equipment
A tag warns people but cannot physically stop anyone

Show answer

Answer: D. A tag warns people but cannot physically stop anyone

CCOHS says tagout is always used when lockout is required. The lock is what holds the isolating device in the safe position; a tag only warns.

Question 25 of 25

Who must make sure only trained people carry out lockout work?

Any worker who happens to be working nearby at the time
The supervisor, as part of the employer's program
The provincial fire marshal's office
The company that manufactured the equipment

Show answer

Answer: B. The supervisor, as part of the employer's program

CCOHS says supervisors must ensure only trained people do lockout work, and employers must train workers on their roles.

Lockout/Tagout Awareness Course 2026

Quick answer

What you will learn

What to know before the test

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Related tests