Short-Term Engineering Project Designed as a COOP
Equipment-Specific Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Program Development
Project Duration: 8–12 Weeks
Assigned To: Junior Electrical Engineer
Supervisor: Maintenance Manager
Departments Involved: Maintenance, Operations, EHS (Safety)
DITSCH USA creates memorable pretzel experiences! We bake artisan pretzels available for both foodservice and retail markets. As a leading producer of pretzels, we are committed to freshness and providing clean label products. The quality of our irresistible products comes from more than 100 years of experience and craftsmanship in the ART OF PRETZEL MAKING!
We are looking for those that want to learn and grow within our organization. Ditsch USA offers development options to add to your skillset and open new opportunities for you within our organization. At Ditsch USA you will find a welcoming, safe and team-orientated environment.
Project Objective:
Develop equipment-specific Lockout/Tagout procedures for critical plant assets to ensure hazardous energy sources are properly isolated before maintenance or service work is performed.
The project will identify and document all hazardous energy sources, define the correct isolation points, and create standardized LOTO procedures and visual documentation for use by maintenance and operations personnel. Preferred experience would be a candidate pursuing a degree in engineering or candidates currently enrolled in a technical school
The goal is to improve:
- Worker safety
- OSHA compliance
- Maintenance execution efficiency
- Hazardous energy control reliability
Applicable Standards
The project will ensure compliance with applicable safety standards including:
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 — Control of Hazardous Energy
- NFPA 70E — Electrical Safety in the Workplace
- Company Lockout/Tagout procedures
- Plant electrical safety policies
COOP Focus:
The project will focus on developing LOTO procedures for high-risk and frequently serviced equipment, such as:
- Motor driven pumps
- Conveyor systems
- Motors and gearboxes
- Compressors and blowers
- Process equipment
- Motor Control Center circuits
- Control panels
Skills Developed
This project develops critical engineering competencies including:
- Electrical system understanding
- Hazardous energy identification
- Field equipment inspection
- Safety program development
- Technical documentation
- Cross-functional collaboration
Success Criteria
The project will be considered successful if it produces:
- Documented LOTO procedures for critical equipment
- Verified energy isolation points
- Improved hazardous energy control
- Increased maintenance, safety and compliance
Physical Requirements:
- Working conditions are normal for a manufacturing environment.
- Must be 18 years or older and enrolled in a technical certification program or undergraduate engineering degree
- Ability of adjusting or moving objects of varying weights up to 50 lbs. in all directions.
- Ability to communicate with others to exchange information.
- Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
- Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
- Ability to withstand various climates through the facility i.e. freezer, dock, production (as low as -15 degrees up to 110 degrees)
- Ability to work in an environment with flashing lights, horns, and powered moving equipment operating in proximity.
- Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
- Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking and/or remaining in a stationary position and often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
- Ability to move self into different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and/or confined spaces.
- Must be physically able to ascend and descend ladders, stairs, ramps, poles and scaffolding.
- Excellent hand/eye coordination.
- Ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
- Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
- See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
- See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
- Adaptability to work in diverse environments and surfaces.
- Ensure compliance with GMPs and maintain a clean work environment.
- Wear Personal Protective Equipment as needed.
- Stand and move around the manufacturing floor for up to 8 hours.
- Capability to stand, walk, squat, and perform repetitive tasks.