Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) is a industry safety practice used to ensure that the robot is not powered while receiving maintenance. A LOTO system consists of three parts: tags, box to cover power leads, and a clip. The box cover encases the power leads, and the clip keeps it secure. The clip has a tag labeled with the name of one of the team members. We choose these members because of their role on the pit crew or drive team. These members carry their Lock Out Tags to power down the robot. Members without tags cannot power down the robot.

Our robot uses many forms of stored energy, all can be dangerous. These energy sources include electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and spring loaded. Team members use LOTO to reduce the risk of injury from this hazardous energy. Before doing any work on the robot, we must release all these forms of energy, thus rendering the robot safe. After each competition, the drive team disconnects the battery cable. This releases any pressure in mechanical systems. When returned to the pits, we lock out all power sources by a pit or drive team member. It must have it’s tag before the pit team checks and/or repairs the robot. When it is time for the next match, the owner removes the tag. If a tag is on the robot no one but the owner can remove it. This ensures that if the robot is unfit to work, team members won’t  turn it on by accident. This could cause damage to either a team member or the robot.