Systems and methods for monitoring lockout procedures

Abstract

A system for monitoring a lockout condition of a component includes a padlock and a lockout device. The padlock incudes a lock body and a shackle assembled with the lock body and manually moveable between a locked position secured with the lock body and an unlocked position separable from the lock body. The padlock includes a first communication module configured to wirelessly communicate a first data signal including a first identification code identifying the padlock. The lockout device includes an apertured member defining at least a first lock aperture and being moveable between a lockout condition blocking operation of the component and an access condition permitting operation of the component. A second communication module is provided with one of the lockout device and the component and configured to wirelessly communicate a second data signal including a second identification code identifying one of the lockout device and the component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for monitoring a lockout condition of a component, the system comprising:
 a padlock having a lock body and a shackle assembled with the lock body and manually moveable between a locked position secured with the lock body and an unlocked position separable from the lock body, the padlock including a first communication module configured to wirelessly communicate a first data signal including a first identification code identifying the padlock;   a lockout device associated with a component to be locked out, the lockout device including an apertured member defining at least a first lock aperture, the apertured member being moveable between a lockout condition blocking operation of the component and an access condition permitting operation of the component, wherein the first lock aperture is sized to receive the padlock shackle therethrough when the apertured member is in the lockout condition, such that the padlock shackle secures the apertured member in the lockout condition, the padlock being separate from the lockout device; and   a second communication module provided with one of the lockout device and the component and configured to wirelessly communicate a second data signal including a second identification code identifying one of the lockout device and the component.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first communication module is enclosed within the padlock. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second communication module is assembled with the lockout device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lockout device is assembled with the component. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lockout device is integral with the component. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first communication module comprises an RFID tag. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second communication module comprises an RFID tag. 
     
     
         8 . A method of monitoring lockout procedures, the method comprising:
 providing a lockout device with a component to be locked out, the lockout device comprising an apertured member defining a lock aperture, the apertured member being moveable between a lockout condition blocking operation of the component and an access condition permitting operation of the component;   inserting a shackle of a padlock through the lock aperture, and manually moving the shackle to a locked position with a lock body of the padlock to secure the padlock to the lockout device in a lockout condition, the lockout device being separate from the padlock; and   using a communication device, wirelessly receiving a first data signal generated by a first communication module assembled with the padlock, the first data signal including a first identification code identifying the padlock, and wirelessly receiving a second data signal generated by a second communication modules assembled with one of the lockout device and the component, the second data signal including a second identification code identifying one of the lockout device and the component.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first communication module is enclosed within the padlock. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second communication module is assembled with the lockout device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the lockout device is assembled with the component. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the lockout device is integral with the component. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first communication module comprises an RFID tag. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second communication module comprises an RFID tag. 
     
     
         15 . A method of monitoring lockout procedures for a multi-process arrangement having first and second components, the method comprising:
 securing a first lockout device in a lockout condition to block operation of the first component;   receiving a first data signal corresponding to the first lockout device being secured with the first component in the lockout condition, the first data signal including a first time code and a first identification code corresponding to one of the first component and the first lockout device;   securing a second lockout device in a lockout condition to block operation of the second component;   receiving a second data signal corresponding to the second lockout device being secured with the second component in the lockout condition, the second data signal including a second time code and a second identification code corresponding to one of the second component and the second lockout device;   monitoring the first and second data signals to determine an order in which the first and second lockout devices have been locked out; and   comparing the order in which the first and second lockout devices have been locked out with a predefined lockout procedure, and providing an alert if the order is inconsistent with the predefined lockout procedure.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second lockout devices are integral with the first and second components. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second data signals are generated as a result of the first and second lockout devices being secured in the lockout condition. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second data signals are generated by first and second passive RFID tags.