What is the term for the use of locks or other physical restraints to prevent the operation of specific equipment?

The term for the use of locks or other physical restraints to prevent the operation of specific equipment is 'Lockout.' This practice is an essential part of safety management in various industries, particularly during maintenance or servicing activities. When equipment is locked out, it ensures that the machinery cannot be inadvertently started or operated while a worker is performing maintenance tasks, thereby significantly reducing the risk of injury.

Lockout often works in conjunction with Tagout, which involves attaching a warning tag to the equipment, signaling that it should not be operated. However, the focus here is specifically on the physical act of securing the equipment with locks or similar devices, which is why 'Lockout' is the appropriate term.

Safety Protocol and Isolation, while related to safety and machinery operation, do not specifically denote the act of using locks to prevent operation. Safety Protocol generally refers to broader safety procedures, and Isolation refers to removing equipment from service, which may not necessarily involve the use of locks. Thus, 'Lockout' is the most precise term in this context.