Navigation

We have an existing lockout program and we’ve done written procedures so do I need it?  Respectfully, if OSHA were investigating right now, are you certain you can show the investigator a particular procedure already written for the air conditioner for this office listing what breaker number controls it?  For the forklift I see in your plant?  A unique written procedure for the air compressor?  If not, you can benefit from Lockout/Tagout Procedure WriterÓ.

Can I get a trial copy?  The software license agreement provides a money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied within 30 days.  Try it!  You’ll like it.  A trial version is available to test for a short period of time.  See trial version.

Which version do I need?  The Lite version is an economical application but it cannot be used for more than one location/building/department.  You will want the more powerful Professional version if you want to sort or select machinery procedures by department or other operations and add machinery photos to the reports.  This is all the more important in future years when it is necessary to update or validate the procedures for the machines.  The Paramount version is for complex organizations with a need to install the software on a server for concurrent use by multiple users.

I don’t have much computer skill.  I don’t believe I can use database software.  Although the software is a database application, the use is more like data entry with pull-down selections and fields that clarify the entry.

Too expensive.  There are only a very few software comparables and they do not begin to provide the ease, resources, and year-after-year benefits of this software.  Your time savings will more than pay for the purchase price.

Too busy.  Have you ever personally tried to write a machine-specific lockout/tagout procedure?  You know it is very time consuming and technical.  This software relieves a considerable burden.  If you are already busy, you must have this.

This task is overwhelming.  The worksheets can be assigned out to maintenance or operations personnel with the handwritten information returned.  Similarly, the annual lockout procedures inspection worksheet will allow you to assign out the field information gathering.  It is well for the person primarily responsible for procedure writing to do a trial of a few machines and data entry in order to adequately instruct the field information gathering.

What technical support is available?  The software comes with detailed installation instructions specific to your type of system.  There is a searchable HELP file integrated into the software.  The HELP file also instructs on shortcuts and methods of use.  If more help is needed, questions can be left on the answering machine or faxed to support.  Also, version 3 has a comprehensive tutorial to help understand the process further.

I may need more than the usual help.  Ensign is available at a consulting fee for training the users of the system or in lockout-related matters or in customization.

Can I charge the purchase?  We are unable to process credit card sales at this time.  Payment can be either by check or your will be invoiced.

Can the software be loaded onto more than one computer?  The Professional license allows it to be loaded on as many stand-alone computers as you want as long as it is limited to your organization.  For example, a school district can load it at each campus but a joint-powers authority cannot use it for member districts.  It can be loaded on your company’s subsidiaries but not for a trade organization.

Can the software be loaded on our organization’s server?  Yes.  The Paramount version is set up for this.

Can the lockout/tagout procedure software be integrated with our other software?  Very likely, for example it may be integrated with your human resources or machinery preventative maintenance software.  There may be a need for customization at Ensign’s hourly fee rate.

Can this software be used on a Macintosh computer?  No.

What about upgrades or future versions?  Purchasers will be notified of future versions, for example, a Spanish version may be made possible.  You can send in your suggestions for improvements or concerns.  This software is ahead of the competition and intends to stay that way.  Competitive software mainly writes elaborate tags and does nothing to help with the annual procedure inspection requirement.

Will the procedures be OSHA-compliant?  Although there are templates with suggested steps depending on the particular energy hazards, ultimately the procedures are customizable so you can adapt them further to your operation or use your judgment in the step text.  OSHA is not in the business of approving such systems but they are aware of this software and have been impressed and have not expressed any objections or concerns.

Can photos be used with the software?  Yes.  Version 3, both the Professional and Paramount licenses allow this.  Just link to a photo file on your computer and link it to the report.  You can preview the photo(s) before printing.

Will I be able to print my procedures in Spanish?  Yes.  Version 3 HELP file will provide the instructions on translating to many languages.

What is magnitude?  The use of energy magnitude is a provision of the ANSI lockout standard.  Magnitude is the power of the energy, such as 110 volts, 220 volts, 2,000 pounds per square inch, 25 horsepower, etc.  Version 3 handles this nicely.

Is it necessary to track accidents by machine?  OSHA has a requirement allowing grouping machines with like controls, single-energy source, etc. as long as there have been no loto accidents with the machine.  Version 3 handles this nicely and will even print out all loto accidents in the system according to the entity selected.  Of course, the OSHA standard does not describe the severity of the accident.

How does Lockout/Tagout Procedure Writer compare with other competitor software?  We believe that our software is unique in its power and features and therefore is slightly pricier than most others.  For the time saved and looking at this software that serves well beyond the initial data entry the price is very reasonable.  We have compared ours with others and can discuss our findings, if asked.