LOTO — Hydraulic Systems
Construction and general industry · Ver en español
Talking points
- Hydraulic systems store energy under extreme pressure — even after the pump is shut off. Residual pressure in accumulators, cylinders, and hoses can cause violent movement.
- After shutting down the hydraulic power unit, relieve stored pressure by cycling the controls. Verify on the pressure gauge that the system has reached zero before beginning work.
- Hydraulic accumulators must be bled, blocked, or mechanically restrained. A pre-charged accumulator can discharge with enough force to move a cylinder or burst a hose.
- Block or crib hydraulic cylinders that support elevated loads. A cylinder that drifts due to seal failure can crush a worker even with the pump locked out.
- Hydraulic fluid injected through the skin from a pinhole leak can cause severe tissue damage that may not be immediately apparent. Never run your hand along a pressurized hose to check for leaks.
Ask the crew
Are there any hydraulic systems on our equipment that need to be bled or blocked before today's maintenance?
Standards this talk is built on
A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.
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Sign-in sheet
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