Refuse, mixers, augers & PTOs · 5 minutes

Lockout/tagout toolbox talk

Packers, augers, conveyors, PTO shafts and hydraulic arms can start, move or drop without warning. Before anyone reaches in to clear a jam or do maintenance, the energy has to be off and stay off.

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Vocational Trucks of America · Free toolbox talk

Refuse, mixers, augers & PTOs · 5 minutes · About 5 minutes · vocationaltrucksofamerica.com/talks

Read this to your crew

Tell the crew you’re shutting down and why.

Shut off the truck and disengage the PTO. Take the key with you.

Lock and tag the energy sources your company’s procedure lists for that truck.

Release stored energy. Lower or block anything raised, bleed hydraulic pressure, block the wheels, and wait for anything spinning to stop.

Verify. Try the controls to make sure nothing moves, then put them back in the off position.

Only the person who put a lock on takes it off. And never reach into a moving packer, auger or PTO; loose clothing, gloves and long hair get caught in rotating parts.

Key points

Tell the crew, shut down, take the key.
Lock and tag every energy source.
Release stored energy: lower, block, bleed, wait.
Verify nothing moves before you reach in.
Only the person who locked it unlocks it.

Ask the crew

What are the energy sources on your truck?
Where are our locks and tags?
What stored energy is left after you shut the truck off?

The rule behind it

OSHA’s hazardous energy rule requires a written energy-control procedure, training, and locks or tags before workers service or maintain equipment that could start up or release stored energy (29 CFR 1910.147). Follow your company’s written procedure for each truck.

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147: Control of hazardous energy

Today’s actionToday: walk your truck and name every energy source, including hydraulics, air and anything raised.

General safety information for crew meetings, not legal advice. It doesn’t replace your company’s safety program, required training or site rules. Rules checked October 2026.

Prints on two pages: the talk, then a crew sign-in sheet. See the 52-week schedule.

Toolbox talk sign-in sheetFree from Vocational Trucks of America · vocationaltrucksofamerica.com/talks

Date

Time

Job or location

TopicLockout/tagout toolbox talk

Presenter

Weather and conditions

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Questions or concerns raised

Follow-up actions and who owns them

Keep the talks going

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See all toolbox talks, the sign-in sheet and the 52-week schedule →