Customised lockout tags are super handy in the workplace for a few reasons:

1. Personal Touch: When you customise a lockout tag, it's like adding a personal touch to safety procedures. It makes it clear who's in charge of the lockout, which can help avoid mix-ups or misunderstandings.
2. Clear Communication: A customised tag can include specific details about the equipment being locked out, the reason for the lockout, and contact information. This makes it easier for everyone to understand what's going on and who to reach out to for more info.
3. Enhanced Safety: With custom tags, you can tailor the message to fit the unique risks and requirements of your workplace. This ensures that everyone knows exactly what precautions to take, reducing the risk of accidents or injuries.
4. Compliance and Accountability: Customised lockout tags can help demonstrate compliance with safety regulations and standards. Plus, they hold individuals accountable for following proper lockout procedures by clearly identifying who initiated the lockout and who is responsible for removing it.
5. Professional Look: Let's face it, a well-designed, custom lockout tag just looks more professional. It shows that your workplace takes safety seriously and is committed to maintaining high standards.

In a nutshell, customised lockout tags make lockout procedures more clear, personalised, and effective, ultimately contributing to a safer and more organised workplace.

A blind flange lockout device is a safety improvement used during maintenance on piping systems. Let’s explore its purpose and how it enhances workplace safety:

Purpose:

Cirlock System Lockout Devices

In the realm of industrial operations, safety is paramount, and one crucial element in safeguarding employees from potential hazards is the implementation of Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) procedures and equipment. Lockout-Tagout is a systematic approach used to control hazardous energy sources during maintenance, servicing, or repair of machinery and equipment.

Understanding Lockout-Tagout

Lockout-Tagout involves isolating and de-energising machinery and equipment to prevent accidental start-up during maintenance activities. This process requires the use of specialised equipment, including lockout devices and tags, to effectively communicate the status of the equipment and ensure that it remains in a safe state.

Site Safety - Lockout Stay Safe!

Group lock boxes of all sizes - One person, one lock

If more than one person is working on the same plant, each person should attach their own personal padlock to each isolation point to prevent the equipment being operated. The isolation procedure should identify common lock out points to ensure energy cannot be restored while someone is still working on the plant.

Padlocks are a crucial part of any Lockout tagout Procedures.

Cirlock’s Lockout Tagout Padlocks come in 8 different colours, enabling individual locks to be easily recognisable for workers.  While Red is primarily used for Personal Lockout, other colours can be used to indicate supervisors or different departments.

Out now!  The new Cirlock catalogue!

When is comes to a comprehensive guide to all thing’s lockout tagout, the Cirlock product guide will give you all you need to know.  The new catalogue updates our 2021/22 product guide and outlines all of the products available to you from Cirlock.

Beginning with an introduction to lockout tagout, the catalogue also outlines details of the digital downloads available to you on our website, video training resources and product instructions on our most popular items.

Nicole

Cirlock would like to introduce two key members of our team.  You will know Nicole, from many years with us at Cirlock, Nicole has recently been promoted to a new role as National Sales Manager.  And we welcome Juliea as our new team member in Admin and Sales.  These ladies keep Cirlock moving on a daily basis!

Nicole

Celebrating 30 Years

In 1992 Mount Isa, Erik Larsen was working as an electrician and never imagined what lay ahead of him, how he would be an integral part of the growth of Lockout Tagout processes across Australia.

Lockout devices for electrical circuit breakers were not readily available for use in Industry in the early 90’s, and the importance of Health & Safety was becoming more and more prevalent during this time.  A clear need for these lockout devices could be seen in the Mining Industry and Erik was approached by a contact to see what he could do.

Custom Printed Tags

Lockout signs and tags are an important part of any lockout tagout process and help to prevent hazards in the workplace. They are often used in conjunction with lockout devices for locking off an isolation point and assist in ensuring correct procedures are being adhered to.  Lockout-tagout not only improves the productivity but cut costs and saves lives.

The Role of Tags in the Lockout Tag-Out Process

Tags are often colour-coded, textual, diagrams or visuals of warnings during lockouts. However, they play an even greater role in cases where energy-isolation devices cannot be physically locked out. Energy isolation equipment that does not support hasps, safety padlocks, lockable switches, or snap on valve covers, need to be appropriately tagged out to let people know that a particular energy source has been isolated and should not be accessed.

Cirlock in Mount Isa

Cirlock had a trip down memory lane last week, heading back to our hometown Mount Isa.  In 1992 Cirlock officially opened its doors as a lockout tagout manufacturer in Mount Isa, in a small shed owned by founder Erik Larsen. 

The purpose of our recent visit was for the CNW Electrical Wholesale Mount Isa Trade Day.  Nicole spent time talking to the locals many of whom were around with Erik when he first started the business.  “It was humbling to hear all of their stories and memories of Erik and the original Aluminium Cirlock System”, said Nicole, “The Aluminium Cirlock System is still being used around Australia to this day”.

At the Trade Day Cirlock showcased the latest Aluminium Cirlock System, as well as the SALD-X-2 Lockout for NS and NSX style breakers, and our very own designed Isolator Bar Lockout Device IBL-KIT.  All of these products were a huge hit with all the Electricians and Electrical Engineers.  The SALD-X-2 and Isolator Bar Lockout Device IBL-KIT are both proudly made by us here on the Sunshine Coast, Australia.

Application: 

The Tag Holder and Clipboard will help to ensure that the 5S's are used in your workplace to keep processes lean (and workspaces tidy!)

At Cirlock, we practice lean manufacturing, it has helped us to ensure the best prices for our products, simply because we waste less time and materials. Our uncomplicated 5S system products are available, so you too can deal with less waste and increase productivity.

THE 5S STEPS EXPLAINED!

Contractors Lockout Kit Giveaway: Terms and Conditions

BACKGROUND

1. The promoter of the Cirlock Contractors Lockout Kit giveaway (“the giveaway”) is Cirlock Pty Ltd.
2. By entering the Giveaway, entrants agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

ELIGIBILITY

Lockout Tagout

Many accidents or ‘near misses’ can be prevented if all companies were to implement and use proper lockout / tagout procedures. We must encourage the development of a ‘lockout culture’ or ‘lockout attitude’ in all Australian workplaces.

Erik Larsen.

Yes… our first post Covid tradeshow!

In mid-February, the Cirlock team were proud to be part of the LGW Workplace Health & Safety Conference at the Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane.

The show had 120 Pre-Registered attendees and more than 30 Councils attended.   On average councils sent 3-4 staff members to this year’s Workplace Health & Safety Conference, showing a real commitment in this area.

Where to use

A Pipe ID marker consists of printed text on a coloured background with a contrasting border and a chevron to show flow direction.

The colours are determined by the pipe’s contents.

White on Light Blue - AIR
Black on Sand - GASES
White on Orange - ELECTRICAL
White on Blue - WATER
White on Violet - ACIDS & ALKALIS
Black on Silver - STEAM
White on Green - WATER
White on Brown - OILS
White on Black - OTHER LIQUIDS

How will Covid-19 effect the future of the Australian Manufacturing Industry?

The coronavirus crisis has thrown the spotlight on Australia's manufacturing sector.  The sudden restrictions in overseas markets and the extraordinary global demand for products such as medical supplies, have laid bare Australia's over-reliance on international supply chains.

After reaching a high of nearly 30% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the 1960s, manufacturing had since fallen to 6% of GDP, but is the pandemic triggering a rethink of how these figures should look in the future?

The Cirlock Universal Lockout Device can help prevent unintended energisation of energy sources. 

Used for Miniature Circuit Breakers, the UCL-1 is one of our most popular products and guess what…… the UCL-1 just got better!

Hot of the press, this week, we have just taken delivery of our first shipment of the UCL-1 products made from 50% Recycled Material!!!

Cirlock distributes a range of confined space covers which are specifically designed to be rapidly fitted to a range of confined space entry points including vessels, tower skirts and columns.

Isolator Bar Lockout Kit NOW AVAILABLE From Cirlock

Product Code: IBL-Kit

This article recently appeared in the Australasian Mine Safety Journal and gives a great summary of the importance of safety when accessing confined spaces.

Throughout Australia each and every year confined space deaths continue to occur despite concerted efforts by Government regulators, safety and engineering professionals. Unfortunately, statistics show that these events often involve multiple fatalities and sometimes occur in organisations that have mature procedures and processes in place to manage confined spaces.

If yours is a workplace where lockout/tagout procedures are part of daily exercises, you’ll want to be mindful that they don’t become secondary considerations.

These elements — which as noted by OSHA speak to practices and procedures necessary to disable machinery or equipment so as to prevent the release of hazardous energy while employees perform service and maintenance activities — should be reinforced regularly.

Source: The Business Journals - https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/growth-strategies/2017/10/take-a-continuous-improvement-approach-to-lockout.html

A real reminder of the importance of using Lockout equipment!  Lucky no-one was seriously hurt!

Source: Electrical Licensing Committee disciplinary outcomes

You are already familiar with the Cirlock Contractor Lockout Kits… this month Cirlock are pleased to launch two brand-new kits we are adding to our range – Belt Lockout Kits (PLK-2 and PLK-3).

These kits include Keyed Alike padlocks, so even though they have 2 locks (PLK-2) or 6 locks (PLK-3) you only need 1 key to open any of the locks in your kit, therefore reducing the number of keys you have to carry around. 

Cirlock Pty Ltd wishes to apologise for an error in an advertisement that appeared in the March 2017 Edition of Australian Mining Monthly featuring our SLP-450 series of padlocks.

It has come to our attention that the advert incorrectly included the Australian Made logo and the statement, "Designed by Cirlock - Manufactured Locally", which may have given the impression that the SLP-450 series padlocks are Made in Australia.

We wish to confirm that although a number of our products are Australian Made, the Cirlock Lockout Padlocks, including the SLP-450 series, are not made in Australia.  We sincerely apologise for this unintentional error.

Part Code:  SLH-90

Fire Fighting Arm Cooler Harness - Proven to be the best cooling method

Studies have found that forearm immersion in temperate water is more e­ffective in lowering core body temperature than passive cooling, mist sprays or cooling vests.  The patented Harcor Arm Cooler Harness has been designed and developed by Fire Fighters for Fire Fighters.   The small and compact design of the Harcor Arm Cooler Harness means Fire Fighters can reduce their core body temperature almost anywhere, at a staging area, on the fire ground, in any urban or rural situation.

NEW VALVE LOCKOUT KIT from Cirlock.  Introducing the brand new Valve Lockout Kit in our new extra large lockout bag.

This new kit from Cirlock really is as good as it sounds!  It includes lockouts for most types of valves, as well as Circuit Breaker Lockouts, padlocks and tags so it has you covered.  AND you can add to the kit if you would like to customise it for your workplace!  

The standard kit includes:

Features: Specially made for lockouts where a shorter shackle is required

Benefits: Plastic and stainless steel

NEW Product from Cirlock

Cirlock is an Australian owned and family operated business who has been designing and manufacturing their own lockout tagout equipment since 1992.  The Cirlock range is trusted in industry and is made from the highest quality and safest materials.

Cirlock is an Australian owned and family operated business, specialising in Lockout and Tagout Equipment for Energy Sources.  Born in 1992 the company's aim has always been to provide a full range of Lockout Equipment for Energy Sources in all Industries. Most Cirlock products are their own design and manufactured by Cirlock or on their behalf, in Australia. 

This month Cirlock are proud to introduce the latest product to their lockout hasp range – The Aluminium Non-Sparking Lockout Hasp.

Lockout Hasps are crucial to a successful safety lockout system or procedure as they can provide effective multi-person lockout. Multiple padlocks can be applied to Lockout Hasps, this allows an energy source to be isolated by more than one worker.  As a result this ensures that the energy source is completely locked out and can’t be operated until each worker unlocks their padlock from the hasp.

Celebrating its 35th year, AOG 2016 will feature a theme of “Collaboration” with over 100 experts from leading companies providing input on how industry, government and other key stakeholders should continue to work closely together to reduce costs and improve productivity.

AOG thrives with a flood of attendees who visit the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre (PCEC) to meet with over 500 exhibiting companies from 25 countries at the Australasian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference (AOG).  Cirlock are proud to be exhibiting at the event at stand S31.

Last month Cirlock founder Erik Larsen worked his last official day at Cirlock.  Erik happily entered in to the world of retirement after a fantastic 22 years starting, building and growing the Cirlock organisation we know today.  Erik and the team at Cirlock had a celebration to mark this occasion, although little does Erik know that even though he has retired the crew will still be contacting him for his technical knowledge occasionally! 

Erik first invented the Cirlock System of Lockouts over 22 years ago and that is literally how the business started.  Erik explains where it all began:-

“I started the business when working as an electrical contractor for a NW Queensland Mining company.  They wanted to have lockout devices installed on their electrical switchboards. There was nothing suitable available so I decided to design a system myself.  It worked! And from there was approved by the mine”.  

In today’s world of importing and exporting, knowing whether the product you are buying has been made in Australia is not always 100% clear.  Yet more and more consumers are placing importance on supporting locally made products. Searching for Australian made and grown products to use in your business can seem pretty confusing, but it doesn’t have to be.  You need to simply look for the famous green and gold Australian Made, Australian Grown kangaroo logo - it's been helping consumers for more than 25 years, and the safety industry is on board!

The Australian Made, Australian Grown logo is administered by Australian Made Campaign Limited (AMCL), a not-for-profit public company established in 1999 by the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI) and the network of state and territory chambers of commerce, with the cooperation of the Federal Government.  It's a certification trade mark, registered with the Federal Government, and with a strict set of rules (Code of Practice) governing how it can be used. Products must be registered with AMCL and must meet the criteria in the Code of Practice to use the logo.

The Cirlock Real Men Wear Pink campaign is an initiative we are proud to be running within our business. 

After years of associating the colour pink with breast cancer and women, the concept aims to challenge men to embrace the feminine shade and ruffle the masculine image of a rugged, tough, brawny man’s man.  Men are often overlooked when it comes to Breast Cancer but they are a vital part of the experience be it as a partner, father, brother, friend, colleague or patient.

"Control of Hazardous Energy” is paramount on any site, it is important that an established site procedure is in place.  The procedure will ensure that a lock or tag is placed on an energy-isolating device indicating that the device is not to be operated until the removal of the lock or tag.  The removal of the lock or tag must also adhere to an established site policy.

Lockout therefore is the isolation of energy from the system (a machine, equipment, or process) which physically locks the system in a safe mode.

Tag out is then the labelling process that is always used when lockout is required.  The process of tagging out a system involves attaching or using an indicator (usually a standardised label) that includes the following information:-

The Cirlock System of Lockouts for Electrical Switchboards have been manufactured in Australia for over 20 years, and is widely used by small and large companies across all states and territories. Its main feature of being permanently attached to the escutcheon plate of the switchboard, ensures that it is easy to use, and that it will normally only lock the circuit breakers in the OFF position. Each circuit breakers can be locked individually, with a Lockout Arm installed for each breaker.

A number of Lockout Arms for this system has always been available for various shapes and types of circuit breakers. Over time, as manufacturers and suppliers of breakers produce different shapes of c/b housing, Cirlock continue to research and develop new parts for their systems, as needed. This is part of their commitment always to be on the forefront of and a leader in the lockout / tagout industry in Australia.

With Schneider’s new Acti9 c/b series on the market, together with the CBI c/b series – two different brands and shapes miniature c/b – Cirlock have developed and are manufacturing two new Lockout Arms, which have been added to their range, and is now available with short notice: