How can I encourage my employees to practice lockout / tagout?

Oberon has stations and carrying boxes to make sure everyone has the proper equipment with them when needed.

Can lockouts be forcibly removed?

They are only a visible deterrent. They should only be removed with approval and a great deal of caution.

Are there specifications for Lockout devices and Tag out Devices?

Tagout devices– shall be constructed and printed so that exposure to weather conditions or wet and damp locations will not cause the tag to deteriorate or the message on the tag to become illegible.
Tags– shall not deteriorate when used in corrosive environments such as areas where acid and alkali chemicals are handled and stored.
Standardized– Lockout and tagout devices shall be standardized within the facility in at least one of the following criteria: Color; shape; or size; and additionally, in the case of tagout devices, print and format shall be standardized.

Substantial–Lockout devices. Lockout devices shall be substantial enough to prevent removal without the use of excessive force or unusual techniques, such as with the use of bolt cutters or other metal cutting tools.

Tagout devices– Tagout devices, including their means of attachment, shall be substantial enough to prevent inadvertent or accidental removal. Tagout device attachment means shall be of a non-reusable type, attachable by hand, self-locking, and non-releasable with a minimum unlocking strength of no less than 50 pounds and having the general design and basic characteristics of being at least equivalent to a one-piece, all environment-tolerant nylon cable tie.

Identifiable– Lockout devices and tagout devices shall indicate the identity of the employee applying the device(s).

What does a Hazardous Energy Control Program consist of?

The employer shall establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performs any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, start-up or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative.

What version of NFPA 70E is OSHA using as the standard for citation determination?

NFPA 70E has not been adopted by OSHA as a regulation. NFPA 70E is generally referenced, in the event of an incident, under the General Duty Clause since it is an industry recognized best practice standard.

Once we have determined the conductor or circuit part is de-energized, can we take off certain layers of the protective gear?

Good question . . . Yes . . usually. I will defer to the definition of an Arc Flash Hazard . . . “A dangerous condition associated with the possible release of energy caused by an electric Arc. FPN No. 1: An arc flash hazard may exist when energized electrical conductors or circuit parts are exposed or when they are within equipment in a guarded or enclosed condition, provided a person is interacting with the equipment in such a manner that could cause an electric arc . . .” NFPA 70E would expect the user, within the hazard approach boundary, to be wearing an level of protection appropriate to the hazard when de-energizing a system and voltage testing. If the electrical system has been de-energized and has been voltage tested to verify that it has been de-energized . . upstream and downstream . . . then it could be possible to remove the electrical gloves and Arc Flash clothing, if there is no other adjacent electrical hazard, in close proximity to the de-energized system, that would retain its hazard approach boundary. It is important to comply with any work practices established by the employer, that might establish that PPE should be utilized to a greater extent than the minimum established by NFPA 70E.