Who qualifies as an authorized employee?

An authorized employee is defined primarily by their responsibility and capability to apply lockout/tagout procedures to equipment. This includes the physical act of locking or tagging out machines to ensure that they cannot be operated while maintenance or repair work is being performed. This procedure is critical for maintaining workplace safety, as it protects workers from the accidental energization of machinery.

The emphasis on physically locking or tagging out equipment highlights the important role of authorized employees in protecting themselves and their coworkers from potential hazards. They have received the necessary training and have the authority to enact safety protocols that prevent injury during servicing or maintenance.

In contrast, the other options reflect misunderstandings of the role and responsibilities of authorized employees. While operating the equipment might make someone familiar with it, it does not inherently grant authority to perform lockout/tagout. Asking supervisors to lock out equipment indicates reliance on others rather than taking responsibility directly, and being able to remove another employee’s lockout devices contradicts the principle of safeguarding against unauthorized access or operation.