Define the term 'lockout/tagout.'

The term 'lockout/tagout' refers specifically to a safety procedure that is implemented to ensure that machinery is properly shut down and cannot be started up again until maintenance or servicing has been completed. This procedure involves placing a lock on the energy-isolating device of the machine to prevent its operation and attaching a tag that warns others not to operate the equipment while it is under maintenance.

This practice is critical in high hazard facilities to protect workers from accidents that can occur due to unintended machine start-up or release of stored energy during servicing activities. Effective lockout/tagout programs are essential for maintaining a safe workplace, as they enforce systematic control over hazardous energy sources.

The other choices do not accurately capture the essence of lockout/tagout. While scheduling maintenance, for instance, is a crucial function in facility management, it does not encompass the specific safety measures involved in locking out equipment. Similarly, training programs for emergency response teams and protocols for managing chemical spills, while important in their own right, do not relate directly to the energy control system embodied in lockout/tagout procedures.