Workplace Safety | Electrical Safety Equipment | LOTO

Work safety equipment for electricians, power engineers and manufacturing companies: LOTO lockout devices, dielectric gloves, boots, mats and insulating sticks, insulated tools, personal protective equipment, transport cases and safety relays.

⚠ LOTO lockout ⚡ Dielectric equipment Insulated tools Personal protection Transport cases Safety relays

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Work safety – equipment for safe work with electrical installations

The main hazards of working with electrical equipment are electric shock, arc flash and unexpected start-up. Below: what to choose for each task, the safe isolation sequence with LOTO, dielectric equipment classes and the most common mistakes.

Colour key:blue – informationgreen – personal protectionorange – ⚠ LOTO and checksred – ⚡ voltage and dangerpurple – machine safety

What to choose for the task

Task or risk	Equipment	Where to look
Equipment is isolated for repair or maintenance	⚠ LOTO padlock and "Do not operate!" tag	Safety padlocks, LOTO tags
Several workers service the same equipment	⚠ Group lockout hasp, group lock box	Lockout hasps, Lock boxes
A breaker, plug, valve or STOP button must be locked	⚠ Lockout devices	Plug lockouts, Valve lockouts, All LOTO
Work in a panel or near live parts	⚡ Dielectric gloves, mat, boots	Gloves, Mats, Boots
Switching operations at higher voltage	⚡ Insulating operating stick	Insulating sticks
Installation, cable preparation and crimping	Insulated and special tools	Pliers, Screwdrivers, Stripping, Crimping tools
Everyday protection against mechanical injury	Work gloves and safety shoes	Work gloves, Safety shoes
Machine emergency stop, safety doors	Safety relay	Safety relays
Storing and transporting tools and equipment	Boxes, cases, bags	Transport cases

⚠ Safe isolation sequence and LOTO

The Lithuanian Safety Rules for Operating Electrical Installations (point 80) set a mandatory sequence before work on de-energised equipment. LOTO (Lockout / Tagout) devices cover steps 3–4 – they make sure the equipment cannot be switched on while work is in progress.

Step	What to do	Equipment
1	Switch off the voltage
2	Disconnect the equipment from all supply sources
3	Prevent the equipment from being switched on automatically or by mistake	LOTO padlock, lockout device
4	Hang the sign "Do not switch on! Work in progress"	LOTO tag
5	⚡ Verify absence of voltage with a tested voltage detector (good practice – check it again after measuring)	Voltage detector
6	Earth according to the established procedure
7	Prepare the work area and fence off adjacent live parts	Dielectric mat

ℹ Every worker locks their own padlock and keeps their own key. When several people work, use a group lockout hasp: the equipment can be switched on only after all padlocks are removed.

⚡ Dielectric equipment – how to choose the class

The class of dielectric gloves (IEC 60903) and mats (IEC 61111) shows the maximum working voltage. Choose the class by the highest voltage you will work at.

Class	Maximum working voltage (AC)	Typical use
00	500 V	Low-voltage control circuits
0	1 000 V	Distribution boards up to 1 kV
1	7 500 V	Medium voltage
2	17 000 V	Medium voltage
3	26 500 V	Medium voltage
4	36 000 V	Medium voltage

Inspect gloves before every use and check them for leaks by inflating them with air.
Carry out periodic tests according to applicable requirements and the manufacturer's instructions; mark the test date on the item.
Store dry, away from direct sunlight, heat and sharp objects.
Check the class and voltage of a specific product on its product page.

Insulated tools

For work near live parts choose tools marked 1000 V with the double triangle (IEC 60900) – they are tested for 1000 V AC / 1500 V DC. In this group: insulated pliers, screwdrivers, cable cutters, stripping tools, crimping tools, hydraulic hole punches.

Safety relays – machine safety

A safety relay monitors emergency stop buttons, guard doors or light curtains and safely stops hazardous motion. This is a different purpose from a voltage protection relay, which protects equipment against too high or too low mains voltage.

Model	Type
Schmersal SRB-NA-R	Safety relay, 24 V DC
Allen-Bradley MSR15D	Safety relay (Guardmaster Minotaur)
Omron G9SA-321-T075	Safety relay, 24 V AC/DC
Pilz PNOZ m1p	Configurable safety relay

⚠ Most common mistakes

Mistake	Consequence
✗ Equipment isolated but not locked	Another worker can switch it on
✗ Several workers use one padlock	Equipment is switched on while someone is still working
✗ ⚡ Absence of voltage not verified "because it is switched off"	Back-feed or the wrong line isolated
✗ Glove class chosen by the tool, not by the equipment voltage	Insufficient insulation
✗ Damaged or untested dielectric gloves	Risk of electric shock
✗ Ordinary tools used near live parts	Short circuit, arc flash

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a LOTO padlock and an ordinary padlock?
A LOTO padlock has a unique key, an insulated body or shackle and a bright colour – it is easy to recognise and assign to a specific worker.

Which glove class is needed for work in a panel up to 1 kV?
Class 0 (up to 1000 V AC). Class 00 is for up to 500 V AC.

Does a dielectric mat replace gloves?
No. The mat insulates from the floor, the gloves protect the hands. They are used together.

What is the difference between a safety relay and a voltage protection relay?
A safety relay is for machine safety (emergency stop, guard doors), a voltage protection relay monitors mains voltage and protects equipment.

Can you put together a LOTO kit for a company?
Yes. Tell us what equipment has to be locked and how many people work – we will select padlocks, lockout devices and tags.